Whether or not this ceasefire agreement holds, it is a sign of progress in a war that has claimed thousands of lives and left entire communities devastated. It is also an opportunity for Palestinians in Gaza, many of whom were displaced during the fighting, to begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
The details of this ceasefire are complex, but the first phase is expected to last six weeks and involve a significant increase in aid. In return, Israel is obligated to release hostages and prisoners held in Israeli jails. Moreover, the deal includes a commitment to allow hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza each day—though this number will likely be lower than what is needed given the magnitude of destruction.
This agreement is expected to be followed by more comprehensive negotiations over the next two phases of the ceasefire. Those talks will include discussions about a timeline for Israeli withdrawals from Gaza, the mechanisms by which Hamas would be demilitarized, and the mandate of the technocratic transition governing committee that would assume authority in Gaza.
As the United States prepares to welcome a new president, it is important to remember that the ceasefire agreement is only one piece of the puzzle. Whether this ceasefire will lead to a larger movement towards peace will depend on two key factors: