Hostage and Prisoner Exchange... Israel to Withdraw from Gaza
Ceasefire Takes Effect on Eve of Trump Inauguration... Focus Shifts to Russia-Ukraine Peace
Biden Invests in Gaza Ceasefire as His Final Achievement
"Result of Persistent and Determined U.S. Diplomacy... My Diplomacy Never Stopped"
Trump: "Result of Historic Victory in November"
Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas have reached a sudden ceasefire agreement 15 months after the outbreak of the Gaza war. The Middle East situation, which had been escalating and raising concerns about a 'Fifth Middle East War,' has reached a major turning point with this ceasefire agreement. With the Gaza ceasefire, one of the 'two fronts,' taking effect the day before Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president-elect, the second Trump administration is expected to focus on promoting peace between Russia and Ukraine. President Joe Biden, who had faced criticism for sparking two wars during his term, salvaged his reputation by achieving a diplomatic and security success with the Gaza ceasefire negotiations just five days before leaving office.
Israel and Hamas Agree on Three-Phase Ceasefire... Hostage and Prisoner Exchange, Gaza Withdrawal
On the 15th (local time), Israel and Hamas agreed on a three-phase ceasefire: first, to halt the war for 42 days, then exchange hostages and prisoners, and finally discuss a permanent ceasefire. This comes 15 months after Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to the agreement reported by foreign media, Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first phase of the ceasefire. The release targets children, women, the injured, and those over 50 years old. Initially, three hostages will be released per week, with all remaining hostages freed before the ceasefire period ends. In the second phase, hostages and Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas are expected to be released. Currently, 94 hostages are held in the Gaza Strip; the Israeli military estimates that 34 of them have already died, while 60 remain alive.
Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for each released Israeli civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian prisoners for each released Israeli female soldier. All Palestinian women and children prisoners captured since the start of the Gaza war will be released.
The Israeli military must gradually withdraw troops deployed in the Gaza Strip during the first phase of the ceasefire. On the 16th day of the ceasefire, detailed discussions on the second phase will begin, covering the release of Israeli male soldiers, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. In the third phase, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will commence under the supervision of mediators such as Egypt and Qatar, as well as the United Nations (UN).
The ceasefire is expected to take effect on the 19th, one day before Trump’s inauguration. Israel plans to put the ceasefire agreement to a cabinet vote on the 16th, and the ceasefire date will be set after cabinet approval. However, despite the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli airstrikes continue in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Civil Defense reported that at least 12 people were killed by shelling in a residential area in northern Gaza on the same day.
This war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 civilians and soldiers and abducting 251 people. Israel responded by deploying ground forces in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of 46,500 civilians and Hamas militants.
Biden Calls It a "U.S. Diplomatic Achievement," Trump Claims It as "Result of November Victory"... Old and New Powers Each Claim Credit
President Biden officially announced and welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement. In a White House speech that day, he said, "After months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage negotiation today." He added, "This agreement will halt the Gaza war," and explained, "Humanitarian aid urgently needed by Palestinian civilians will increase, and hostages held captive for over 15 months will be reunited with their families."
During Biden’s term, the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war followed by the Gaza war drew much criticism of the U.S. foreign policy, which positions itself as the 'world’s police.' After deciding not to seek re-election, Biden strongly pressured both Israel and Hamas to achieve a Gaza ceasefire as his final accomplishment in office, ultimately securing the ceasefire just five days before his departure.
Biden emphasized that the Gaza ceasefire agreement is a diplomatic achievement for the United States. He said, "I presented the exact outline of this plan on May 31, 2024, and the UN Security Council unanimously approved it," adding, "It is also the result of severe pressure on Hamas, the Lebanon ceasefire, the weakening of Iran, and persistent, determined U.S. diplomacy." He stressed, "My diplomacy never stopped striving to achieve this (ceasefire)."
He also revealed that since the implementation of the agreement will occur under the next administration, he has closely cooperated with the Trump transition team in recent days.
On the other hand, President-elect Trump claimed that his election victory contributed to the ceasefire agreement and took credit for it. With the regime change scheduled for the 20th, the old and new U.S. powers appear to be engaged in a 'power struggle.'
On his social media platform Truth Social, which he created, he said, "This lengthy ceasefire agreement could only have been achieved as a result of our historic victory in November last year," adding, "We accomplished a lot even without being in the White House." He continued, "We will continue close cooperation with Israel and our allies to ensure that the Gaza Strip never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists," emphasizing, "Building on this ceasefire, we will further expand the historic Abraham Accords and continue to promote peace through strength in the region."
President Biden, who partially acknowledged the Trump team’s role, responded to reporters’ questions about who deserves more credit between himself and Trump by saying, "Is that a joke?" implying that the contributions of the incumbent and the successor to the Gaza ceasefire negotiations are not even comparable.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
![Clutching a Stolen Dior Bag, Saying "I Hate Being Poor but Real"... The Grotesque Con of a "Human Knockoff" [Slate]](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/183/2026021902243444107_1771435474.jpg)
