After nearly 2 years of fighting, Israel and Palestine agreed to a ceasefire deal. This decision comes at an instrumental time for not only these two nations but America as well. As the United States asserts itself as a close ally of Israel, this ceasefire is one the Biden Administration takes great pride in.

This deal is not just a one-and-done halt to fighting; it will be carried out in phases. Starting Sunday, Israeli troops will remove themselves from the Gaza borders, allowing displaced Palestinians to get home. This war had lasting effects on the Gaza region, so loads of humanitarian aid will be given to those who need it. As for Hamas, they will release 33 Israeli prisoners while receiving 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences. Israel will also be releasing 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who had no affiliation with the October 7th attacks.

While a ceasefire calls for an end to fighting, the fight for those who lost family members and their livelihood due to this war is not over. The United Nations estimates that 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced. War may be over for now, but there are so many who have nowhere to turn once they can return to where their homes once stood. There are still 94 hostages who haven’t been released by Hamas; that means it’s been a year since they have seen family and friends. This war has been perceived and told as a “good-guy v. bad-guy” fight, but that doesn’t take away from the innocent souls who want to go about life as normal but aren’t able to do so.

When discussing this conflict, it is difficult to not mention social media. Creators on apps like TikTok and Instagram advocated for the lives of innocent people in Gaza and Israel. Thousands of Americans showed their support for Palestine by using the watermelon emoji, as the word Palestine was censored. Several creators shared strong opinions on this war and many worked with nonprofit organizations whose aim is to alleviate the suffering of those in the conflict zone. Using their platforms not only helped some families, but it served as an outlet to inform and talk about foreign events on a mainstream level; one that teenagers and young adults use on a daily.

While the fighting may stop, for now, the impact this war had on the lives of millions cannot be emphasized enough.