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As old as conflict itself -

Virtually as old as conflict itself, a ceasefire is a way of formalizing a halt to armed violence between warring parties for a certain period of time.

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Ceasefires can look different -

When it comes to international law, there are no provisions relating specifically to when ceasefires should be negotiated, what they need to contain, or how they need to be applied.

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Different terminologies -

In the last 50 years or so, a range of new terminology has become commonplace to describe a ceasefire. Some common ones you might have heard include: humanitarian pauses, safe zones, cessation of hostilities, de-escalation areas, days of tranquility, and windows of silence.

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They can be formal or informal -

Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but also as part of an informal understanding between the different sides.

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Part of mediation or a peace process -

Ceasefires may occur via mediation, or as part of a peace process. They may also be imposed by United Nations Security Council resolutions via Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

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The main goal of a ceasefire -

The immediate goal of a ceasefire is to stop violence, but the underlying purposes of ceasefires can vary.

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The intentions of a ceasefire -

Ceasefires may be intended to meet short-term limited needs, such as humanitarian aid. They may also be implemented in order to advance efforts to peacefully resolve a dispute.

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It may not always be peaceful -

But a ceasefire may not always work as a peaceful resolution. Instead, it can give one of the actors an upper hand, allowing time for rearming and repositioning forces, or attacking unsuspectingly.

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The durability -

Several factors affect the durability of a ceasefire, such as demilitarized zones, the withdrawal of troops, third-party guarantees, and monitoring.

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Successful ceasefires -

Ceasefire agreements are more likely to be durable when they reduce incentives for violence, uncertainty about the adversary's intentions, and when preventions are implemented to prevent accidents from spiraling into conflict.

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The number of ceasefires in recent times -

By one estimate, from 1989 to 2020, there were at least 2,202 ceasefires across 66 countries in 109 civil conflicts. Sarajevo is pictured here after a ceasefire in 1996.

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Historical examples -

Historically, the concept of a ceasefire has existed since the Middle Ages, when it was known as a "truce of God." Click on to read up on some notable ceasefires.

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World War I -

During World War I, on December 24, 1914, there was an unofficial ceasefire on the Western Front as France, the UK, and Germany celebrated Christmas.

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World War I -

Known as the Christmas truce, accounts claimed the unofficial ceasefire took place throughout the week leading up to Christmas. About 100,000 British and German troops exchanged seasonal greetings between their trenches.

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World War I -

Beginning when German soldiers lit Christmas trees, it quickly spread up and down the Western Front. The war resumed after a few days.

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The Korean War -

On November 29, 1952, US President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower went to Korea to see how to end the Korean War.

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The Korean War -

But the Korean People's Army (KPA), the People's Volunteer Army (PVA), and the UN Command only signed the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. As a result, the fighting ended. But with no peace treaty signed between North and South Korea, the two countries are still technically at war.

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The Vietnam War -

On New Year's Day, 1968, Pope Paul VI convinced South Vietnam and the US to declare a 24-hour-truce. However, the Viet Cong and North Vietnam didn't follow through and ambushed the 2nd Battalion, Republic of Vietnam Marine Division, in the city of Mỹ Tho. They also attacked a US Army support base near Saigon.

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The Vietnam War -

On January 15, 1973, President Richard Nixon ordered a ceasefire in North Vietnam. The decision came after Henry Kissinger, the National Security Advisor, returned to Washington, D.C. from Paris, with a draft peace proposal. However, combat missions continued in South Vietnam.

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The Vietnam War -

By January 27, 1973, all parties of the Vietnam War signed a ceasefire via the Paris Peace Accords.

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The Gulf War -

After Iraq was driven out of Kuwait by US-led coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and the UN Security Council signed a ceasefire agreement on March 3, 1991.

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The Gulf War -

However, because no peace treaty was signed after the Gulf War, the war was still in effect until 2003, when US and UK forces invaded Iraq.

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The Kashmir conflict -

A UN-mediated ceasefire was agreed on between India and Pakistan, on January 1, 1949, ending the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, also known as the 1947 Kashmir War.

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Northern Ireland -

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) held several Christmas ceasefires during the Northern Ireland conflict.

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Global ceasefire of 2020 -

The 2020 global ceasefire was a response to a formal appeal by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (pictured), as part of the United Nations' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Global ceasefire of 2020 -

On July 1, 2020, the UN Security Council, with the support of 172 Member States and Observers, passed a resolution demanding a general and immediate global cessation of hostilities for at least 90 days.

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Israeli–Palestinian conflict -

A conflict that dates back to 1948, various attempts have been made to resolve it as part of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process.

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Israeli–Palestinian conflict -

An example of a ceasefire in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict was announced on February 8, 2005. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat (pictured) defined the ceasefire as such: "We have agreed that today President Mahmoud Abbas will declare a full cessation of violence against Israelis anywhere and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will declare a full cessation of violence and military activities against Palestinians anywhere."

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Israel-Hamas War -

In April, Hamas reportedly rejected an Israeli proposal for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza that called for the group to disarm, according to a senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations. Ultimately, significant challenges remain in achieving lasting security and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

See also: Understanding the Israel-Hamas conflict

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