After weeks of violence and political unrest, the Hamas organization and the Israeli government have declared a cease-fire and the release of more hostages. After the 6th day of the cease-fire, Hamas has freed twelve Israeli hostages from Gaza.
The hostages were abducted by Hamas shortly before the conflict began to escalate. In a televised unpersuasive announcement, Hamas confirmed the release of the hostages and stressed that the operation was part of an agreement with the Israeli government. Israel applied for a cease-fire on the 16th of May in order to de-escalate the violence between the two nations.
The hostages were welcomed by thousands of their fellow countrymen in local cities as they disembarked from buses near the border. Dressed in white, the freed Israeli captives raised Israeli flags and saluted the Israeli Defense Forces. Many family members of those who were abducted also expressed relief and joy at the news.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the peaceful resolution to the conflict marks a milestone in Israeli-Hamas relations. The cease-fire is the first step in establishing a lasting peace in which both sides can come together and co-exist harmoniously.
The current cease-fire agreement between the two states is still in its early stages, so it remains unknown how this will develop in the future. Nevertheless, this is a pivotal moment in the two states’ long-standing dispute. As the Israeli hostages are welcomed back home, the long road towards lasting peace begins.
