A moment of peace

Ceasefire in Gaza initiates release of Palestinian hostages

On January 18, 2025,  a ceasefire was enacted in Gaza, Palestine’s largest city. The latest conflicts began between Israel and Hamas about 15 months ago, however, these wars are part of a dispute between Israel and Palestine dating back to the 1940s. The initial ceasefire, enacted on November 21, 2023, lasted just one week. The current ceasefire has lasted several days longer at this time of writing, and appears to have the potential to end this current escalation of violence. Earlier this week, the first three Israeli hostages held in Gaza were freed, followed several hours later by the release of 90 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. On Saturday, another four hostages were released, along with 200 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Additionally, Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones within Gaza, halting the fighting. Hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid from the United Nations have entered the region, and many Palestinians displaced by the conflict have begun returning to what remains of their homes and communities.

Riley Small – Argosy Illustrator

A 42-day ceasefire deal started on February 1, 2025, with three hostages released every seven days in exchange for more Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. By the end of these 42 days, all women, children, and seniors still held in captivity should be freed. Israel believes at least a third of the captives still inside Gaza were killed in the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war or have died in captivity. 

Although countless Palestinians have been able to return home for the first time in months, there are mixed feelings due to the aftermath and destruction of the areas they hold close to their hearts. Some are devastated by the scene and feel that they would be better off back in prison, at least in terms of living standards. Others see it as an opportunity for change, a blank canvas of possibilities to regrow the community. Many Palestinian residents have expressed they are relieved to be free, but frightened of the uncertainty of what is ahead. 

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict  is one of the longest, most violent conflicts in the world, originating from historical tensions. It began in the early 20th century when Britain took control of Palestine after World War I, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The British supported the establishment of a “national home” for Jewish people in Palestine, raising tensions between Jewish immigrants and the Arabs. In 1948, Israel declared independence, prompting a war with neighboring Arab states. As Israeli forces conquered land, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians became refugees. This event is known as the Nakba, Arabic for “the catastrophe.” The 1967 Six-Day War reshaped the region, as Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. These areas became known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with Israel maintaining complete control. The status of Jerusalem remains a core dispute, with both sides claiming it as their capital. 

Gaza became a key location of conflict, particularly since Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, took control in 2007. Years of blockades, repeated wars, and humanitarian crises have left the area impoverished and unstable. The latest war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, caused significant loss of life and displacement. Despite the ongoing ceasefire, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain, with discourse over the recognition of a Palestinian state continuing to impede progress.



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