By Cameryn Bentler
After a two-year conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas beginning on October 7, 2023, President of the United States Donald Trump declared what would be the “first phase” of Israel and Hamas’ agreement to end the war: the release of prisoners and hostages.
On Friday, October 10 at noon local time (5 a.m. EST time), the call for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was put into full effect.
In exchange for the 48 Israeli hostages, both alive and dead, Israel agreed to let go of the 250 Hamas prisoners and 1,700 Palestinian detainees from Gaza, as well as pull back their arms in the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli spokesperson, Shosh Bedrosian, announced one of the most high-profile prisoners, Marwan Barghouti, will not be released as part of the swap.
This deal was signed on Thursday, October 9, in Egypt. American diplomats hold optimism that this may finally be the end to the territorial conflict between Israel and Palestine. It is said that hostages are likely to be released the following Monday, October 13, at the latest, with little-to-no media coverage on the exchange, as per the arranged agreement.
Once Israel releases their prisoners back to Palestine, they will allow “full aid” to those in Gaza suffering from famine (as declared by United Nations backed experts), destitution, and death. As of Friday, October 10, over 600 humanitarian aid trucks are reported to have entered Gaza daily to help civilians caught in the crossfire of this two-year-old conflict.
According to U.S. officials, it is said that approximately 200 troops will monitor the ceasefire. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians return to their homes in Gaza, a city overtaken by ash and rubble.
“There was nothing left. Just a few clothes, pieces of wood, and pots,” said Fatma Radwan, who was displaced from eastern Khan Younis.
So, what happens next? If the ceasefire is successful, Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Palestine will be followed by negotiations. If the proposal is agreed by both sides, it is expected that the war should end immediately.
If all sides come to an agreement to effectively end this conflict, and the President’s plan goes to accord, the United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestine to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence. As stated by the White House and U.S. officials as the twentieth point to Trump’s plan to end this war in the Middle East.
As expressed by political officials all around the world, as well as Israeli and Palestinian civilians, despite the 2 year-long brutal conflict, there is still hope for the future of these two countries. If the peace deal is properly brokered, both Israel and Palestine may begin rebuilding what was lost during this conflict.
