The war that shakes the fragile stability of the Middle East comes to an end. Israel and Hamas They have signed a ceasefire after 15 months of conflict. Both sides have found a agreement this Wednesday, January 15 -according to local media- in the face of the great obstacle in the negotiations, which was the release of hostages from the terrorist organization who were still held in the tunnels. This measure will be applied progressively and, in return, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Government will release a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including terrorist leaders.
In recent days it had been suspected that the end of hostilities was closer than ever to becoming a reality. Qatarone of the main interlocutors in the negotiations, announced this Tuesday that the talks between Israel and Hamas were leading, this time, to a successful conclusion. And in Israeli political spheres the debate was already focused on the convenience or not of the agreement: the most conservative sectors – including some deputies of the coalition Executive – have opposed it through a public writing.
This agreement puts an end to 15 months of a war that has shaken the entire region and that has developed under strong pressure from the international community. The events broke out on October 7, 2023, when terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad attacked the closest Israeli communities. A day that resulted in the murder of more than 1,200 people in just a few hours and the kidnapping of several hundred.
The figures of the war
In response, Israel launched a forceful military offensive on Gaza that lasted 15 months, culminating in the death of Yahya Sinwarleader of Hamas, and the dismantling of all its structures. The Strip has suffered severe damage and local authorities – dependent on the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) – raise the death toll to 46,600. The humanitarian crisis reaches maximum levels.
Despite the forcefulness of the military offensive, Israel questions the figures offered from the Strip. The international communityHowever, it has exerted strong pressure on the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu, going so far as to file a complaint against Israel before the International Court of Justice – led by South Africa and supported by other nations – in which it was accused of “genocide” in Loop.
The Gaza crisis is the main exponent of the crisis experienced in the region, but not the only one. From the October 7, 2023groups aligned with Iran – such as Hamas – also launched their offensive against Israel or its allies. The Netanyahu government opened a new front in Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah. One of the most notorious episodes in this territory was the detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to members of the terrorist militia.
Likewise, the Houthis have attacked from Yemen to Western merchant ships sailing in the vicinity of the Gulf of Aden. Washington articulated a new naval mission in the region to maintain security. This same group has also attacked Israel with projectiles, mostly repelled by the anti-aircraft defense systems of the Hebrew country.
Hostage exchange
The war has threatened on several occasions to reach more than regional overtones. It should be remembered that Iran launched hundreds of missiles over Israel; They got up He was a direct witness to this episode. Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces carried out attacks against Iranian positions. A complex cocktail to which are added dozens of militias and terrorist groups close to the ayatollah regime, as in Iraq or Syria.
Now, after 15 months of war, Hamas is committed to the progressive liberation of all Israeli hostages. Regarding dozens of them, although there is no official confirmation, there is no reliable proof of life. The terrorist organization plans to hand over 33 kidnapped people. In the initial phases it will be delivered to the most vulnerable, depending on age or health status. Ultimately it will be done with captured Israeli soldiers.
For his part, Netanyahu is committed to the release of hundreds of Palestinians held, including senior Hamas terrorists. This was the main asset that Israel had in the negotiations for the release of the Gaza hostages.
Source: www.vozpopuli.com
