April 25, 2025 11:44 pm
Full News

Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect Amid 3 Hostages Release and Aid Increase

After a delay of nearly three hours, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has now come into force, signaling a temporary halt to the 15-month-long conflict that has devastated Gaza. This truce is part of a deal brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, intended to facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners, and significantly boost humanitarian aid into the beleaguered territory.

Hostage and Prisoner Exchange: Hamas has begun the process by handing over the first three hostages — Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari — to the Red Cross in Gaza City. These individuals were among those taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The exchange stipulates that Israel will release 735 Palestinian prisoners during the initial phase of this agreement. The Israeli military had postponed the ceasefire until they received the list of hostages to be set free by Hamas, highlighting the delicate nature of these negotiations.

Aid Increase: The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for a dramatic increase in humanitarian aid, with up to 600 trucks expected to cross into Gaza daily. This surge in aid is vital, as Gaza has been grappling with severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. However, Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), emphasized that this is only the start, given the immense scale of the humanitarian crisis.

Political Tensions: The ceasefire has not been universally welcomed in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the ceasefire is temporary, with the threat of resuming military action if Hamas breaches the agreement’s terms. This stance has led to internal political friction, with some of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, expressing dissent. Smotrich and others have warned of withdrawing support if the war against Hamas isn’t pursued to its conclusion. Meanwhile, families of Israeli soldiers killed in the conflict have protested against the ceasefire, concerned that it might not lead to the dismantling of Hamas.

Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns: Despite the ceasefire’s initiation, the immediate aftermath has been marred by violence, with reports indicating that at least 10 Palestinians were killed and 25 injured in Israeli strikes in Gaza just before the ceasefire was to begin. Since the deal’s announcement, there have been at least 122 Palestinian deaths due to Israeli military actions, illustrating the ongoing human cost of the conflict.

Global Reactions: Internationally, there’s a cautious optimism about this ceasefire, with many hoping it’s a step towards a more enduring peace. However, skepticism remains about the long-term stability of the agreement, given the deep-seated issues between Israel and Hamas. The UN and various aid organizations are calling for sustained access and support for Gaza, underlining the necessity for peace to facilitate recovery and reconstruction.

This ceasefire, while offering a temporary reprieve from the violence, is set against a backdrop of continued tension, with both sides watching closely to ensure adherence to the deal’s terms. The success of this ceasefire will largely depend on the willingness of both Israel and Hamas to engage in further diplomatic efforts towards a more lasting peace.

Related News
Why All the Buzz Around ‘Babygirl’?
Nelson Mandela and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Their Similarities and Mandela’s Recognition of Bangabandhu
Moana 2 Now Streaming on Disney+
Zelenskiy Seeks Security Guarantees in First Post-Election Meeting with Trump
The world avoided a global recession, but extreme poverty remains a challenge
Bangladeshi Blogger and Activist Faces Death Threats Amid Rising Extremism
Related Posts
Pakistan Supported Terrorism for the West, Admits Defence Minister
Trump to Propose $100 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia
UN Chief Urges India and Pakistan to Exercise Restraint
U.S. Secretary of State: Iran Must Abandon Nuclear Program Completely
Jordan Bans Muslim Brotherhood Over Security Concerns
Exchange of Gunfire Between Indian and Pakistani Troops at Kashmir Border
More News

Vanessa Trump Subtly Confirms Tiger Woods Romance on Instagram

Vanessa Trump has quietly confirmed her budding romance with golf legend Tiger Woods via a subtle gesture on Instagram. On Monday, April 7, Woods, 49, shared a post on his Instagram announcing an exciting partnership between his foundation and Augusta National Golf Club to launch a state-of-the-art STEAM education facility for local students. He wrote, […]

Marshall Brickman, Oscar-Winning Writer of ‘Annie Hall,’ Dies at 85

Marshall Brickman, the Oscar-winning co-writer of Annie Hall, passed away on Friday in Manhattan at the age of 85. His daughter, Sophie, confirmed his death. Brickman, who worked alongside Woody Allen on Annie Hall, also collaborated with him on films like Sleeper, Manhattan, and Manhattan Murder Mystery. He wrote for TV shows such as Candid […]

Alcaraz Clinches First Monte Carlo Masters Title

Carlos Alcaraz secured his first Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday, defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the final. This victory marks the sixth Masters 1000 title for the 21-year-old Spaniard and his biggest win since claiming Wimbledon last year. “It’s been a tough week and an even tougher month, both on and […]

Mark Gatiss Joins Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps in Surprise Role

Mark Gatiss, known for his standout roles in Doctor Who and Sherlock, has quietly joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor and writer has been cast in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the highly anticipated 37th installment in the MCU, which hits cinemas on July 25. While the spotlight is on Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, […]

Malala Yousafzai Urges Muslim Leaders to Oppose Taliban’s Education Curbs

ISLAMABAD – Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai called on Muslim leaders on January 12 to reject the legitimacy of the Afghan Taliban government and to demonstrate true leadership by opposing their restrictions on women and girls’ education. Speaking at a summit on girls’ education in Islamabad, Ms Yousafzai emphasized, “Do not legitimise them. As […]

Trump Administration Cancels Visas of Over 600 International Students

In the nearly three months since Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States on January 19, his administration has canceled the visas of more than 600 international students studying at over 100 higher education institutions across the country. A significant portion of these students had participated in protests last year demanding […]

10 Mosques in India to be Covered Before Holi to Maintain Peace

To prevent any unrest during the Holi festival, authorities in India have planned to cover 10 mosques in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district. Holi will be celebrated on Friday, March 14, coinciding with the Jumu’ah (Friday prayers) during Ramadan, a rare occurrence in the past 60 years. According to a report by NDTV on Wednesday, March […]

Nuran Nabi elected 5th term council at Plainsboro, NJ

Nuran Nabi, an eminent scientist, author, and Bangladesh war hero, again elected to the Plainsboro Township Council for a fifth term in New Jersey. He is going to start a three-year tenure on January 1, 2025. Councilman Nabi praised the Plainsboro Township voters for their constant support. He is a Bangladesh American in New Jersey, […]

Trump Suspends New Tariffs on All Countries Except China

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day suspension of newly imposed reciprocal tariffs on all countries except China. He made the announcement on Wednesday, April 9. However, Trump stated that the total tariff on Chinese goods would increase from 104% to 125%. Just last week, the U.S. had imposed a 37% reciprocal tariff on […]

Indian Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji Admitted to ICU

Popular Indian filmmaker Srijit Mukherji has been admitted to the ICU. According to Indian media reports, he suddenly experienced breathing difficulties around 12:30 AM on Friday night. He also started sweating profusely. He was rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata, where doctors moved him to the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring. However, doctors […]