Peace in the Middle East… Maybe

A Big Diplomatic Win for the Biden Admin and Step Towards Peace

According to reports, representatives of Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement yesterday. While the Israeli government claims that the final details of the agreement are still being ironed out, the ceasefire will include the return of civilian hostages taken by Hamas during the opening days of the conflict and the release of Hamas prisoners captured by the Israeli military. The ceasefire is expected to go into effect on January 19th.

The tragic events of October 7, 2023, resulting in nearly 1,500 Israelis murdered and taken hostage, precipitated a bout of violence resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. Hamas and Iran aimed to weaken Israel, end diplomatic normalization in the Middle East, and sow chaos that Iran and ultimately Russia could exploit for various objectives. This deal, if realized, will close the current chapter of significant violence and a source of major risks for a larger regional war. The conditions of the agreement represent a near-absolute win for Is…