Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

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➡️ HAMAS - ISRAEL CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT - Enduring Peace at Last?

As of January 15, 2025, officials from both sides reached a final draft ceasefire agreement. The deal contains conditions for a hostage/prisoner exchange, a six-week ceasefire, and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Joyful celebrations erupted in Gaza and around the world as the ceasefire deal took effect on January 19.

What are the Key Terms of the Ceasefire Agreement?

The framework agreement consists of three interconnected stages of 42 days each. The final aims include -

• The release of all Israeli detainees in the Gaza Strip, civilians or soldiers, alive or otherwise

• The freeing of agreed-upon numbers of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli penitentiaries

• Sustainable calm and permanent ceasefire

• The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza

• Massive long-term reconstruction of destroyed areas

The initial phase led to the recovery of all remaining hostages, but the transition into the second phase never materialised after Hamas rejected a proposal by Israel on March 1 to extend phase one and release more hostages. The next day, Israel responded by ceasing the entry of aid to Gaza.

The ceasefire was officially broken on March 18 after Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Gaza.

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PHASE 1

The first phase starts with the temporary cessation of military operations between both sides and strict conditions on air operations. Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas, and more than one million Palestinians will be allowed to return to their places of residence. Accommodation and shelter must be provided for those who lost their homes during the war.

Military sites and installations must be dismantled in the areas where Israeli forces are no longer permitted. Freedom of movement will be granted in all areas of the Strip, and humanitarian aid will be permitted without obstacles. All restrictions on travel and goods will be lifted.

Sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, relief materials and fuel will be provided to begin the reconnection of electricity supplies, the removal of rubble, and the rehabilitation of hospitals, water supplies, sewage systems, communications, roads, and bakeries.

An agreed-upon schedule of detainee and prisoner exchanges will take place over the course of the first phase. Further discussions are set to begin shortly on the terms of phase 2.

PHASE 2

Specific details are yet to be agreed upon; however, it will focus on the continuation of sustainable calm and the continued exchange of detainees and prisoners between both sides. Complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip is expected.

PHASE 3

Specific details are expected to be agreed upon during phase 2. It is likely that at this stage, a complete exchange of prisoners and hostages is to be completed, including the bodies and remains of those deceased. The Gaza Strip reconstruction plan will be implemented, which will span a period of 3-5 years. This will include homes, civilian facilities, infrastructure, and compensation for those affected.

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Who are the Key Mediators in the Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations?

International support in reaching the final ceasefire agreement came from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, who mediated the long-running efforts to end the War in Gaza. After coming close to deals on many occasions, their latest rounds of talks finally proved successful.

Important individuals in the negotiations were -

• Israel - David Barnea, the head of Israel's spy agency, took the lead role from the side of Israel with support from Ronen Bar, the head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency. Bar handled the specifics relating to the prisoner and hostage exchanges.

• The U.S. - Brett McGurk, ex-President Joe Biden's top Middle East adviser, was responsible for putting together the draft after hearing discussions between the two sides. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, met separately with Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani to help secure the deal. Without heavy pressure from Trump, Netanyahu may never have agreed to the deal.

• Qatar – Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and his foreign minister led the mediation efforts and was a key communicator with Hamas throughout.

• Egypt - Hassan Rashad, the director of Egypt's General Intelligence Agency, was an important liaison with Hamas throughout the talks.

• Hamas (Palestine) - Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas' political bureau and chief negotiator, communicated through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

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Ceasefire in Gaza - A Distant Dream

As celebrations took place around the world and thousands of displaced Palestinians made their return to Northern Gaza, the question on everyone's mind was whether the ceasefire would hold. As of May 2026, we know that the answer was no.

This first step has brought much optimism; however, the situation remained fragile and highly vulnerable. Great mistrust from both sides and their willingness to keep to the deal were the cruxes as to whether progress moved beyond phase one towards a permanent end to the conflict and a potential two-state solution.

Support from the international community has been and remains crucial for achieving permanent peace and stability.

Political tensions in the Israeli government emerged on day one as far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced his retirement in protest of the deal. Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, threatened to do the same if phase 2 went ahead. Netanyahu's resolute promise of total victory has previously justified his commitment to waging war and helped him prolong his time in office.

Continued war has so far postponed Netanyahu’s political downfall. But legislative elections are now set to be held in Israel before 27 October 2026. Despite Netanyahu’s refusal to proceed into phase 2, the United States has approved over $4 billion in direct security and military aid for Israel for 2026.

In Israel, there is overwhelming support for a ceasefire, with 72% of Israelis in favour.

In September 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the twenty-point Gaza peace deal, which also failed to reach phase 2. Since then, 603 people have been killed, Gaza suffers with rampant disease, widespread famine, aid restrictions, a dire displacement crisis, severe fuel shortages, and lacks basic sanitation or even clean drinking water.

Of major concern is rising tensions and unrest between Israeli and Palestinian communities, particularly in the West Bank, where local hardline factions oppose the terms of the ceasefire deal. In 2025, 240 Palestinians were killed in attacks by both Israeli settlers and the IDF.

Author: Rachael Mellor 27.01.25 (Updated 18.05.26) licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

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