DOHA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement after over 15 months of conflict. The devastating humanitarian crisis has resulted in the loss of more than 46,000 Palestinian lives and more than 1,200 Israelis, according to health authorities in Gaza and Israel.
The following is a timeline of major events since the conflict began in October 2023.
-- On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
-- On Oct. 8, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a "state of war" and vowed to dismantle Hamas, initiating widespread airstrikes on Gaza.
-- On Oct. 27, 2023, Israel launched a large-scale ground invasion into Gaza.
-- On Nov. 24-Dec. 1, 2023, a temporary four-day ceasefire brokered by Qatar and other mediators took effect, briefly pausing hostilities. The ceasefire was extended by two days, with another extension to Dec. 1. During this period, more than 100 hostages were freed from Gaza, while Israel released 240 Palestinian detainees. Israel's airstrikes on Gaza resumed on Dec. 2 after the ceasefire ended.
-- On Dec. 11, 2023, Israel signaled its willingness to negotiate a humanitarian ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages, while Hamas demanded a halt to Israeli military operations before further discussions.
-- On March 31, 2024, ceasefire talks resumed in Cairo, with Israeli and Hamas representatives working through mediators.
-- On Aug. 15-16, 2024, a fresh round of ceasefire negotiations was held in Doha with representatives from Israel, Qatar, the United States and Egypt. Mediators described the talks as "constructive," but Hamas criticized the proposals as favoring Israel and prolonging Palestinian suffering.
-- On Nov. 9, 2024, Qatar said it had suspended mediation efforts, citing a lack of serious intent from both sides. It stated that talks would resume when conditions were more favorable.
-- On Dec. 7, 2024, Qatar announced that momentum for renewed negotiations has returned, leading to the resumption of mediation efforts.
-- On Jan. 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire-for-hostages deal that will start on Sunday. According to the agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first phase, spanning six weeks, in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees. ■