After 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a temporary cease-fire. The deal prompted hope that the war could end soon, but also caused worry that the tentative terms could easily fall apart.
Patrick Kingsley, the Times’s Jerusalem bureau chief, explains why the agreement finally happened — and what it means for Gaza, Israel and the broader Middle East.
Guests: Patrick Kingsley (https://www.nytimes.com/by/patrick-kingsley) , the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
• Here’s what we know about the agreement. (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/world/middleeast/gaza-ceasefire-what-we-know.html)
• The Times obtained a copy of the provisional deal. Here’s what it says (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/world/middleeast/gaza-ceasefire-israel-hamas.html) .
• Follow continuing coverage (https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/16/world/israel-hamas-gaza-cease-fire) .
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts (http://nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.