1 / 15Ceasefire deal announced | On 15 January 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a ceasefire deal after US President Joe Biden and Qatar’s Prime Minister brokered an agreement. The truce, set to begin on Sunday, 19 January, pauses the 15-month war in Gaza and facilitates the release of 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase.
2 / 15The start of the war | On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched its deadliest-ever attack on Israel, killing 1,210 people, mostly civilians. During the assault, Hamas also took 251 hostages from Israel, with 94 still held in Gaza, including 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli military.
3 / 15Israel’s retaliatory strike | In response to the Hamas attack, Israel launched “Operation Swords of Iron” on 8 October 2023, aiming to destroy Hamas infrastructure and free the hostages. The Israeli military’s aerial and ground operations escalated the violence in Gaza. On 27 October 2023, Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza.
4 / 15The toll of the conflict | By January 2024, the war had claimed the lives of 46,707 people in Gaza, most of them civilians. The ongoing airstrikes and ground invasion left much of Gaza in ruins, displacing most of the 2.3 million people who lived there before the war.
5 / 15International mediation | The US, Egypt and Qatar engaged in intense negotiations throughout 2024, striving to bring an end to the war. Despite several attempts, including periods where both sides expressed optimism about a ceasefire, negotiations hit numerous obstacles. The war, sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack, dragged on, with hostages still held and violence escalating.
6 / 15A temporary ceasefire | On 24 November 2023, a ceasefire agreement took effect after successful negotiations. The agreement saw the release of 105 Israeli, dual-national, and foreign hostages, mostly women and children, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. However, this ceasefire ended on 30 November 2023, after both sides accused each other of violations.
7 / 15Crisis escalates | As the war continued into 2024, the humanitarian situation worsened. On 23 January 2024, the United Nations warned that famine was imminent in Gaza. The conflict intensified further, with Israel carrying out an airstrike in Beirut on 2 January 2024, killing Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas.
8 / 15Global recognition and tensions | In May 2024, Ireland, Norway and Spain recognised the State of Palestine, increasing global tensions. In July 2024, key Hamas figures, including Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ armed wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, head of its political bureau, were killed in Israeli airstrikes.
9 / 15Hezbollah’s involvement | Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, entered the fray in August 2024, launching hundreds of rockets at northern Israel in retaliation for the death of Fuad Shukr, a senior commander killed in a July Israeli airstrike. The group continued to target Israeli military sites, exacerbating regional instability.
10 / 15International Criminal Court (ICC) action | On 21 November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for war crimes. The situation remained tense as international pressure mounted for accountability.
11 / 15Tensions in Lebanon and Syria | Throughout 2024, Hezbollah’s activities spilled over into Lebanon and Syria, with booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies exploding in September 2024. On 27 September, Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, escalating hostilities in the region.
12 / 15The US president’s warning | On 2 December 2024, US President-elect Donald Trump warned that there would be severe consequences if hostages in Gaza were not released before his inauguration. This statement was reiterated in January 2025, emphasising the urgency of securing the release of those still detained.
13 / 15The ceasefire of January 2025 | Finally, on 15 January 2025, a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hamas, marking a turning point in the prolonged conflict. This agreement halted the fighting, offering hope for the eventual release of all hostages and the restoration of peace.
14 / 15Aftermath and hopes for peace | The ceasefire marked a fragile moment of relief amid years of violence. The conflict had caused massive destruction in Gaza, leaving millions displaced and infrastructure in ruins. The international community watched closely, hopeful that this temporary truce could lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
15 / 15A path toward recovery? | As both sides began to implement the terms of the ceasefire, there was cautious optimism that the release of hostages and the cessation of hostilities could pave the way for long-term peace and stability in the region. However, the challenges ahead remained immense, and only time would tell if this ceasefire could hold.
