Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire, Ending 15-Month Gaza War

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement to end the 15-month conflict in Gaza. The agreement includes an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, marking a potential resolution to a war that has destabilised the Middle East.

The ceasefire comes after months of negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with U.S. backing, finalised just before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, collaborated with outgoing President Joe Biden’s team to expedite the deal, with Trump warning of severe consequences if hostages were not released.

The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen breached Israeli security barriers, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and abducting over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in over 46,000 deaths, according to Gaza health officials, and leaving the territory devastated.

The deal may alleviate domestic outrage in Israel over the October 7 security failure, which led to the deadliest day in the nation’s history. Additionally, the agreement follows Israel’s targeted killings of top leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, which bolstered its position amid broader regional tensions involving Iran-backed proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.

In September 2024, Belize’s Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca addressed the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City and touched on several global issues, including the Israel-Hamas war.

“In our region. Mr. President, Belize rejects the continued denial of self-determination of the Palestinian people and calls for the eradication of the system of colonial domination and apartheid being imposed upon them, as Belize stated to the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Minister Fonseca added, “In the recent advisory opinion, Israel could not be permitted to continue flouting one of the most fundamental principles of international law with impunity.”

In November 2023, Belize severed diplomatic ties with Israel. Belize also withdrew its approval for Einat Kranz-Neiger to serve as Israel’s Ambassador to Belize. All operations of the Israeli Honorary Consulate in Belize and the appointment of its Honorary Consul were suspended. Belize also suspended its Honorary Consulate in Tel Aviv.