The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is scheduled be applied on (19/1/2025), is considered an important milestone in peace efforts in the Middle East. The agreement, mediated by Qatar and supported by the United States, includes a prisoner exchange and gradual military reductions in Gaza Strip, bringing new hope for stability in the region.
Setyo Widagdo, Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya (UB), called this agreement an important opportunity to stop the prolonged conflict.
“This ceasefire is a step forward that deserves to be appreciated, but its success depends heavily on the commitment of both parties to implement the agreement consistently,” said Setyo.
He added that previous experience has shown that ceasefires often only last temporarily due to a lack of trust.
Agreement Details
The 15-month war since October 2023 has caused heavy losses on both sides. The announced agreement consists of several important phases, namely first, prisoner exchange: Hamas will release 33 hostages, including women, children, and wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; second, Military recalls: Israel will gradually withdraw its troops from Gaza. During this process, humanitarian aid will be increased to meet the needs of Gazans affected by the conflict; third, Gaza Reconstruction: The reconstruction plan will be monitored by the international community to ensure that aid reaches the people in need, while preventing misuse that could trigger a re-escalation.
Setyo assessed that the prisoner exchange and military withdrawal mechanisms would be the most crucial elements.
“Implementation in the field often faces technical and political obstacles. Therefore, international supervision must be carried out strictly,” he said.
Hopes and Challenges
Although this agreement brings hope, challenges remain. One of them is the deep distrust between the two parties, which could trigger sporadic incidents of violence. In addition, ensuring that all factions in Gaza comply with the ceasefire is also a tough task.
Setyo emphasized that if Hamas uses the ceasefire to regroup, or if Israel breaks its promise on security grounds, the conflict could escalate.
“It is important for the international community to maintain transparency and accountability on both sides,” he said.
US President-elected, Donald Trump, who is pushing for an accelerated agreement before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, said that the failure of the ceasefire would have serious consequences for both sides. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden stated that the agreement is in line with the peace proposal he submitted in May 2024 and supported by the UN Security Council.
He added that the ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope for the people of Gaza and Israel who have long suffered from the conflict. During the war, Gazans faced a severe humanitarian crisis, including minimal access to clean water, electricity, and health services. On the other hand, Israelis live in fear due to the rocket attacks that continue to haunt them.
Setyo said that for the people of Gaza and Israel, this ceasefire must be the beginning of efforts to create a safer and more dignified life.
“Effective and sustainable reconstruction efforts can be an important foundation for building trust,” he said.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire that began on January 19, 2025 is expected to be a significant step towards sustainable peace in the Middle East. However, as Setyo Widagdo reminded, the implementation of the agreement must be carried out carefully.
“Without strong commitment and adequate supervision, this agreement risks becoming just a temporary pause in the ongoing conflict,” he concluded. (rma/FH PR/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)