Hamas Announces Truce Commencement on Thursday at 9:00 am CET
In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, Hamas leader Mussa Abu Marsuk revealed that the long-awaited ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is set to commence on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. local time (9:00 a.m. CET). The truce, which was agreed upon by both Hamas and the Israeli government, is slated to last for at least four days. The deal also stipulates the exchange of 50 hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
The uncertainty lingers, however, as to whether this ceasefire will encompass conflicts involving Hezbollah and Palestinian militants in Lebanon.
The fragile truce has raised hopes of a brief respite from the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip. However, the potential for its collapse remains a looming concern due to allegations of ceasefire violations by both sides.
As of now, the situation is as follows:
- Ceasefire Agreement: After days of negotiations, a ceasefire agreement was reached on January 17, 2025, and officially commenced on January 19, 2025. This agreement involved a comprehensive three-stage process, which includes: a six-week ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction process lasting between three and five years.
- Hostage Releases: Hamas has released a few hostages, such as three female hostages on January 19, 2025. However, the release of additional hostages has been stalled due to accusations of Israeli ceasefire violations by Hamas.
- Humanitarian Aid: Israel has been allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and displaced Palestinians have been permitted to return to their homes.
- Tensions and Threats: Despite the ceasefire, tensions between the two parties remain high. Hamas announced a delay in the next hostage release on February 10, citing Israeli ceasefire violations as the cause. In response, Israel canceled military leave and prepared for a possible resumption of hostilities. US President Donald Trump threatened severe repercussions if all hostages were not released by February 15.
- Regional Tensions: While the conflict between Israel and Hamas largely remains isolated, the wider regional tensions are palpable. The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon following skirmishes with Hezbollah, which began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
In essence, the truce between Hamas and Israel holds promise yet faces numerous challenges. Direct conflicts with Hezbollah and Palestinian militants in Lebanon have not been factored into this agreement as of now, although tensions in the region remain high.
