Gaza truce agreed upon by Israel for a duration of 60 days
In a significant development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 60-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip. This agreement is aimed at halting hostilities and securing the release of some hostages who have been taken captive during the ongoing conflict.
The announcement comes after months of negotiations and includes indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar. Israel has accepted the Qatari proposal and is willing to proceed with these talks to finalize the deal.
Trump urged Hamas to accept the ceasefire, warning that the situation will deteriorate if they do not. The conflict, which has lasted more than a year and a half, has claimed at least 27 lives among the hostages and more than 1,200 lives in Israel, according to reports from both sides.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued military preparations, with civilians in Gaza City being advised to move south in anticipation of a possible expansion of the ground offensive. Israeli officials have warned that if ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations falter, they will escalate military operations, with threats to inflict heavy damage on central Gaza locations.
The ceasefire, if implemented, will last for 60 days. The talks will be indirect, facilitated by Qatari mediation, and aim to facilitate hostage releases. However, Hamas’s acceptance of the terms remains uncertain. Without progress, Israel may resume or escalate military action, leading to renewed violence.
The situation remains tense, with civilians advised to evacuate potential conflict zones. The deal represents a fragile but potentially important step toward reducing conflict in Gaza, contingent on Hamas’s agreement and successful negotiations on hostage releases.
The ceasefire was agreed upon in a meeting between Israeli and U.S. representatives in Washington. The Qataris and the Egyptians will present the final proposal for the ceasefire. Trump expressed hope that Hamas would accept the agreement in the interest of the Middle East.
Reports from the Hamas-controlled health ministry suggest that more than 56,600 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war. However, this number cannot be independently verified.
[1] Source: Reuters, Associated Press, and BBC News reports.
- The European Union, recognizing the importance of the situation, is committed to the implementation of the peace process amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, as the agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, could signal a step towards ending the long-lasting conflict that has claimed numerous lives and perpetuated general-news headlines.
- Amidst the political complexities in the Middle East, the peace process, if successful, could pave the way for a respite in war-and-conflicts in Gaza, allowing for the implementation of lasting solutions and potentially easing tension throughout the region, a development closely monitored by international parties including the European Union.
