Many unresolved questions remain as ceasefire remains intact in Gaza

Meanwhile the ceasefire continued in Gaza israel And Hamas On Saturday after two years of war. But will he lead the deal as American president? donald trump “A strong, durable and everlasting peace” was declared?

This agreement led to pressure on Israel and Hamas from the United States, Arab countries, and Turkey. The war has devastated the Gaza Strip, killing thousands PalestiniansThis gave rise to other conflicts in the region and Israel became increasingly isolated.

The first phase of the deal aims to free the remaining hostages within a few days in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

A long list of questions remain about what happens next.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage.

Israel wants to ensure that Hamas disarms. Hamas wants to ensure that Israel completely withdraws its troops from Gaza and is not allowed to restart the war. Also, a post-war government should be formed for Gaza to replace Hamas’ rule. Without it, reconstruction is unlikely, leaving Gaza’s more than 2 million people in perpetual crisis.

Any disruption in resolving those interconnected issues could spell disaster and potentially force Israel to restart its campaign to destroy Hamas.

Here’s what we know about the deal.

the first step begins

The ceasefire came into effect on Friday afternoon. The Israeli army said it had withdrawn its troops inside Gaza to agreed lines for the first day, and had withdrawn from most gaza cityThe southern city of Khan Yunis and other areas. Troops are present in much of the southern city of Rafah, towns in Gaza’s far north and a wide strip of Gaza’s border with Israel.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians are now returning to their homes in the north.

A UN official said Israel has given the UN the green light to deliver increased aid to Gaza from Sunday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that have not yet been made public.

As of Monday, Hamas is to begin releasing the remaining 48 hostages, about 20 of whom are believed to survive. Israel will release about 2,000 Palestinians, including several hundred serving prison sentences and others captured in Gaza during the war.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said at a rally in Israel on Saturday that he would celebrate on Monday.

After this, negotiations will begin for the next steps.

withdrawal of army

Hamas has long insisted that it will not release the last of its hostages until Israeli troops leave Gaza completely. After previously agreeing to free them, Hamas says it is counting on Trump’s guarantees that there will be a full withdrawal.

How long this will take – weeks, months, years – is unknown.

The initial 20-point plan issued by Trump called for Israel to maintain a narrow buffer zone within Gaza along their shared border, and Israel has also called for maintaining control of the Philadelphia Corridor, a strip of land on Gaza’s border with Egypt.

Unless Hamas disarms and the void left in running Gaza is filled by an entity Israel finds palatable, Israel is unlikely to give up those territories.

Trump’s plan also called for the transfer of Palestinian police trained by Egypt and Jordan, as well as an Arab-led international security force, to Gaza. It said Israeli forces would leave those areas as soon as those forces were deployed.

disarmament

Hamas has long refused to give up its weapons and has said it has the right to armed resistance until Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories ends.

Disarmament is a major demand for Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that his campaign will not end until Hamas’ military capabilities are destroyed, including the network of tunnels built around the area.

However, there are indications that Hamas may agree to “decommissioning” its offensive weapons, handing them over to the Joint Palestinian-Egyptian Committee, according to Arab officials with direct knowledge of the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity.

future government

Israel has said that it wants to free Gaza from the influence of Hamas. But it has also refused to give any role to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority or any arrangement that could lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has agreed to give up rule over the territory and hand over governance to a body of Palestinian technocrats.

What will take its place is uncertain.

Under Trump’s plan, an international organization will govern. It would hold most powers while overseeing the administration of Palestinian technocrats who run day-to-day affairs. It will also play a commanding role in directing reconstruction in Gaza. Trump’s initial 20-point plan called for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to lead the body.

Hamas has not yet agreed that the government of Gaza should be worked out among the Palestinians.

bet

For most of the Israeli public, freeing the last hostages held for two years has been their top priority.

There is relief among Palestinians in Gaza that the bombings and ground attacks may stop for a while and aid can arrive. But there are also doubts and concerns over how long any lull in fighting will last, whether hundreds of thousands of people will be able to return to their homes, and whether Gaza – its cities largely in ruins – will ever be rebuilt.

Many Palestinians fear that Israel will take any breakdown in talks as an opportunity to resume its attacks. For months, Netanyahu and his hardline allies have insisted they will maintain long-term direct security control over Gaza and have called for the evacuation of its Palestinian population on a “voluntary” basis. In Gaza, many believe this is Israel’s aim.

Pressure from the US and its allies – if sustained after the release of the hostages – could prevent Israel from resuming full-scale war.

If Hamas and Israel fail to reach a final agreement or talks remain inconclusive, Gaza could remain in limbo, with parts of it occupied by Israeli troops and Hamas still active. In that case, Israel would be unlikely to allow significant reconstruction, leaving Gaza’s population confined to tent camps or shelters.

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