Israel announced on 10 October that a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is now in effect under the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. Under the terms of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, there will also be an exchange of Israeli and Palestinian hostages and prisoners. Israel’s security cabinet approved the agreement on the evening of 9 October.
Two days after the two-year anniversary of the 7 October attacks, the agreement of a ceasefire marks a rare ray of hope that an end to the war can be achieved. But the deal’s greatest challenges will come with the implementation of later phases, particularly over disarming Hamas and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, both red lines during previous failed ceasefire negotiations (MEES, 3 October). (CONTINUED - 185 WORDS)
