A Fragile Peace
By Heba Akhdar | Opinions | Feb. 21, 2025
After 15 months of conflict and escalating violence, Palestine and Israel reached a new-
found ceasefire deal on Jan. 19, 2025. The agreement ensures Israeli hostages held by Hamas
will be exchanged for Palestinians held by Israel. However, the fragile truce raises multiple
questions about the future of both nations.
The ceasefire comes in three stages each categorized by short and long-term
developments established by each side. According to the BBC, stage one, which will last 42
days, includes 33 Israeli female hostages being released by Hamas, while 1,900 Palestinian
prisoners will be released by Israel. Additionally, Israel will be obligated to leave populated
areas and to allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes which were unlawfully taken
by Israeli settlers. Stage two, set to take place 16 days after stage one, will see that all living
hostages will continue to be exchanged as well as Palestinian prisoners.
It is problematic that the deal creates a clear distinction between Israelis and Palestinians;
Israelis are labeled as hostages while the Palestinians are called prisoners. This description would
be valid if these Palestinians had been convicted of a crime. However, according to ABC News,
many of these “prisoners” accused of “supporting terror” are detained by Israel without charge or
trial. Israel’s “administrative detention” policy supposedly allows these Palestinians to be taken
against their will with secret evidence, never formally charging them.
Within these prisons, many Palestinians are subjected to extreme abuse for prolonged
periods of time. “[Prisoners are] routinely beaten and sprayed with pepper gas and are deprived
of family visits or a change of clothes,” stated Khalida Jarrar, a Palestinian prisoner who was
detained by Israel as reported by ABC News.
Such accounts highlight the harsh conditions Palestinians face in Israeli prisons, as they
are denied necessities. According to the BBC, such actions have resulted in groups like The
Association for Civil Rights in Israel accusing the government of defying international law. This
raises the moral question over how far Israel can go in the name of upholding justice.
The third stage of the ceasefire deal is the most complex step, as it oversees the return of
all remaining bodies of hostages and the rebuilding of Gaza, which is expected to take a number
of years. A U.N. report published in 2024 estimates the damage of Gaza’s infrastructure totals
over $18.5 billion dollars' worth of damage. According to NPR news, a vast majority of homes,
hospitals, and schools have been destroyed with the human development index dropping to a
level not seen since 1955.
With families displaced and homes being reduced to rubble, it will be difficult for the
people of Gaza to recover. Without access to fundamental necessities like clean water or medical
care, Palestinians continue to face harsh conditions. The unrelenting attacks initiated by Israel
even since the initiation of the ceasefire has left communities in disarray.
Although just recently taking office on Jan. 20, 2025, several Israeli media reports have
credited President Donald J. Trump for being the decisive factor that encouraged Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the deal. President Trump has made various comments
on how he intends to mitigate the conflict, stating “all hell will break out” if Israeli hostages were
not released by the time he took office. According to NPR News, President Trump’s
administration is not confident the ceasefire will hold due to instability in Gaza.
Recent comments made by President Trump have sparked concern over the future of
Palestinians. President Trump suggested the U.S. could assume control of Gaza and resettle
Palestinians to other territories. On Feb. 6, 2025, President Trump commented on Truth Social stating the U.S. would be involved in redeveloping the Palestinian territory. While this plan
seems unplausible to many, it is unclear whether this displacement would be temporary or
permanent. On an interview with FOX news, President Trump said Palestinians would not be
able to return to Gaza, asserting that the U.S. would have “ownership” of the territory,
contradicting the statements of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of
State Marco Rubio. Even so, all outcomes of this proposal directly violate the rights of
Palestinians who have the right to reside in their homeland without foreign intervention.
Even though the ceasefire has been welcomed by both sides of the conflict potentially
saved many lives, it is specifically categorized by its fragility. Negotiated by the United States,
Qatar, and Egypt, the ceasefire, as it stands now, has little significant long-term value, as it was
designed to last only six weeks. Although alternative plans have been proposed to end the
conflict, none are considered viable and beneficial by Palestine and Israel. Nevertheless,
individuals from both sides are hopeful this ceasefire can be extended and peace can be brought
to the region.