Two-Week Ceasefire Begins In Gaza As US Pushes For Peace Deal
Two-Week Ceasefire Begins In Gaza As US Pushes For Peace Deal...
A two-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect early Tuesday, marking the first major pause in fighting since hostilities escalated in March. The temporary truce, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, comes after weeks of intense diplomacy as civilian casualties mounted in Gaza.
The ceasefire is trending in the U.S. as Americans watch for signs of progress in ending the conflict. White House officials confirmed President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and regional leaders to finalize the agreement late Monday night.
Humanitarian aid convoys began entering Gaza within hours of the ceasefire taking effect at 6 a.m. local time (11 p.m. ET Monday). The pause allows critical food and medical supplies to reach civilians after months of restricted access.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called the deal "a necessary first step" but emphasized more work remains. The U.S. hopes the two-week window will create space for negotiations toward a longer-term solution.
Reactions in Washington were cautiously optimistic. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the ceasefire "provides hope" while urging all parties to use the time productively. Some Republican lawmakers expressed skepticism about Hamas's commitment to the terms.
The temporary peace follows months of violence that killed over 1,200 Israelis and more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to health officials. Recent protests across U.S. college campuses and cities have kept pressure on the Biden administration to broker a resolution.
Israeli military officials confirmed they halted offensive operations but will maintain defensive positions. Hamas released a statement saying it would abide by the ceasefire if Israel does the same.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the development "a respite for suffering civilians" but stressed the need for a permanent end to hostilities. The pause allows time for hostage negotiations and potential prisoner exchanges.
As the ceasefire began, displaced Gazans cautiously returned to damaged neighborhoods while Israeli families near the border hoped for quiet after months of rocket alerts. The coming days will test whether the fragile truce can hold.
White House officials say CIA Director William Burns will travel to the region this week to support ongoing negotiations. The temporary agreement includes provisions for daily extensions if both sides comply with terms.
