Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

GAGANDEEP KAUR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

NAYONIKAA SINGHAAL
STAFF WRITER

2/3/2025

October 7, 2023, marked a devastating escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict. While the initial violence began with Hamas’s deadly assault killing 1200 Israeli youth at a music festival, the situation in Gaza has spiraled into a severe humanitarian crisis. 

The United Nations reports harrowing figures: at least 10 children in Gaza lose one or both legs every day, with amputations and other medical procedures often performed with little or no anesthesia due to Israel’s blockade, which restricts medical supplies. This blockade has turned what should be a basic life-saving procedure into a desperate and painful process for many families. 

In response, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza resulted in at least 46,707 deaths, roughly 1 in every 50 Gazans, according to Al Jazeera. After 15 months of intense fighting, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, though this is only a temporary pause, not a resolution. 

“I think that it is uncertain whether the cease-fire would last, as Netanyahu has indicated, a willingness, if not a desire to resume conflict,” said Dr. Derick Hulme, head of the Political Science Department at Alma College. 

The ceasefire agreement is structured in three phases. In Phase 1, which will last 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages will be freed, with the first three released on the first day. In return, Israel will release 30 Palestinian women, children, and elderly prisoners for every civilian hostage freed. 

Humanitarian aid will flow into Gaza, and Israel’s forces will withdraw to a buffer zone to allow displaced Palestinians to return home. Phase 2 will focus on securing the release of all remaining hostages and negotiating Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza. Finally, Phase 3 involves exchanging hostages’ bodies for a long-term rebuilding plan for Gaza, under international supervision. While the plan looks good on paper, the air of skepticism haunts the idea of long-lasting peace. 

“I don’t think the ceasefire will last because Netanyahu said that he plans on restarting it (the bombings) again, so it’s great for a pause but in the end, it’s not going to solve any issues,” said Emily Patzkowsky (’25), a Political Science Major at Alma College. 

For small communities like Alma College, the reverberations of such a large-scale conflict are not just distant news; they can feel personal. As students, faculty, and staff come from diverse backgrounds, the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict may spark difficult conversations and raise important questions about global responsibility, ethics, and the role of diplomacy in peacebuilding. 

One such example was an Anti-Semitism event hosted at Alma College last fall which was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of hate and discrimination, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. This event, which brought together speakers from various perspectives, highlighted the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and understanding in the face of deep political and cultural divides. 

While the recent ceasefire offers a moment of hope, the deep-rooted humanitarian and political challenges make lasting peace uncertain. For communities like Alma College, this conflict underscores the importance of fostering understanding and dialogue in the face of such complex global issues. 

“The cease-fire is a wonderful first step, it’s a sliver of hope where there has been virtually none,” said Hulme.