Israel’s military has declared that Hamas has been defeated in the ongoing conflict, marking a significant shift as a ceasefire takes effect in the Gaza Strip. Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated at a press briefing that “Hamas is not the Hamas of two years ago. Hamas has been defeated every place we fought them.” This assertion comes as thousands of displaced Palestinians begin returning to their homes following a ceasefire brokered by the United States.
Ceasefire Implementation and Humanitarian Efforts
The ceasefire agreement was activated at 12:00 local time on Friday, after the Israeli government ratified the terms early that morning. As part of the ceasefire, Israeli troops have commenced a partial withdrawal from various locations within the Gaza Strip. Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, confirmed that the first phase of the withdrawal has been completed and the hostage release period has begun.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas is expected to release 20 Israeli hostages within 72 hours. In exchange, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences and an additional 1,700 individuals detained during the conflict. As the ceasefire takes hold, humanitarian aid is expected to flow into the region, where many civilians have been living in tents after their homes were destroyed.
One resident, Ismail Zayda, expressed relief that his home remains standing but lamented the destruction surrounding him. “Thank God my house is still standing,” he said from the Sheikh Radwan district of Gaza City. “But the place is destroyed, my neighbours’ houses are destroyed, entire districts have gone.” His comments highlight the extensive damage inflicted during the conflict.
Future Military Presence and Goals
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israeli forces will maintain a presence in the Gaza Strip to ensure the territory is demilitarized and that Hamas is disarmed. In a televised address, he stated, “If this is achieved the easy way then that will be good, and if not then it will be achieved the hard way.” This statement reflects Israel’s ongoing commitment to its security objectives in the region.
The initial phase of this ceasefire agreement is part of a broader initiative led by former US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the two-year conflict. Although Israeli forces will withdraw from major urban areas, they will still control approximately half of the Gaza Strip’s territory.
As the ceasefire progresses, the situation remains fluid. The international community watches closely as the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s residents become increasingly urgent amid the aftermath of extensive military operations.
