The truce agreement, brokered by mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, was reached after 15 months of war following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The agreement takes place in a unique context where negotiations for its extension continue in Doha.
This situation coincides with a historic moment for Israel, as the celebration of Purim this year is marked by a special tone, shaped by the tragic events of October 7. Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from an extermination plot 2,500 years ago, now resonates with the ongoing struggle for the release of Israeli hostages abducted during the attack.
Despite the festivities, suffering and uncertainty continue to shadow the daily lives of Israelis, while truce negotiations persist, offering a fragile hope for reconciliation and peace in this troubled region.
According to the Israeli military, 58 hostages remain held in Palestinian territory, 34 of whom have been declared dead. Ongoing discussions, facilitated by mediators, focus on the potential release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.