Post-Gaza Ceasefire, Unresolved Challenges Persist

The First Step Toward a Ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have taken a crucial first step in the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement, releasing hostages and prisoners on Monday. This move has sparked hope that the U.S.-brokered deal could lead to an end to the two-year-long conflict that has devastated the Palestinian territory. However, significant challenges remain, such as whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza, as well as the question of Palestinian statehood. These unresolved issues underscore the delicate nature of the agreement, which currently only pauses the deadliest conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

For Israelis, the release of the 20 remaining living hostages brought a wave of joy and a sense of closure for many who felt they were forced into the war by Hamas. Despite this, some remain determined to continue fighting for the return of deceased hostages still held in Gaza. With the living hostages freed, the urgency to end the war may diminish, reducing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next stages of the agreement.

On Monday, four deceased hostages were returned to Israel, with another 24 expected to be handed over as part of the first phase of the ceasefire. This phase also requires Israel to allow a surge of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. While there was an outburst of joy in Gaza for prisoners returning from Israel, the reality for war-weary Palestinians remains grim. Gaza has been severely damaged by Israeli bombardment, with its prewar economy nearly destroyed, basic services in disarray, and many homes reduced to rubble. It is still unclear who will fund the reconstruction, a process that could take years.

Israel’s Perspective on the Deal

Israel claims the deal achieves its war objectives. U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to the region to celebrate the agreement. In an address to Israel’s parliament, he urged lawmakers to seize the opportunity for broader peace in the region. In Egypt, he and other world leaders gathered to set the trickier parts of the deal into motion.

Netanyahu, who did not attend the meeting in Egypt due to a Jewish holiday, told parliament that he was committed to the agreement, stating it “ends the war by achieving all our objectives.” Israel had previously said it would not end the war until all the hostages were freed and Hamas was defeated. Critics accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political reasons, which he denied.

The war began with Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, when militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 captives. Israel’s retaliatory campaign resulted in more than 67,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. These figures are considered reliable by the U.N. and many independent experts.

The Impact on Israelis and Palestinians

The war has spread across the Middle East, with conflicts erupting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen, and Iran itself. Israelis celebrated the return of the living hostages with jubilation, watching public screenings attended by thousands as the 20 male hostages reunited with their families. Crowds cheered, and tears of joy flowed as families embraced their loved ones.

Zvika Mor expressed his relief upon seeing his son Eitan for the first time in two years, saying, “You are alive! Two arms and two legs.” Bar Kupershtein’s father, Tal, who uses a wheelchair, stood up briefly to embrace his son after a long-awaited reunion.

Unlike previous releases, Hamas did not hold ceremonies for the captives before freeing them. Instead, families received video calls from masked militants who allowed them a first glimpse at their loved ones before they came home.

The Release of Palestinian Prisoners

Israel has released some 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, drawing large crowds in Beitunia in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in Khan Younis in Gaza. The prisoners flashed V-for-victory signs as they descended from buses taking them to the West Bank, Gaza, or into exile.

Mahmoud Fayez, who was returned to Gaza after being detained early last year in an Israeli raid on Shifa Hospital, expressed gratitude, saying, “Praise be to God, our Lord, who has honored us with this release and this joy.” Among the prisoners are 250 individuals serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis, along with 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge.

The fate of these prisoners is a sensitive issue in Palestinian society, where almost everyone knows or is related to someone imprisoned by Israel. They are seen by Palestinians as freedom fighters.

Trump’s Role in the Deal

Trump celebrated the deal in Israel and Egypt, addressing Israeli lawmakers and urging them to work toward peace. “Israel, with our help, has won all that they can by force of arms,” he said. “Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”

His speech was briefly interrupted when two Knesset members staged a protest, holding a sign reading, “Recognize Palestine.” In Egypt, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Trump attended a summit with leaders from more than 20 countries on the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas also attended.

Despite Trump’s optimism, many complex issues remain unresolved. One of the most difficult is Israel’s insistence that a weakened Hamas must disarm. Hamas refuses to do so and wants to ensure Israel pulls its troops completely out of Gaza.

Ongoing Challenges and Uncertainties

So far, the Israeli military has withdrawn from much of Gaza City, Khan Younis, and other areas. Troops remain in Rafah, towns in the northern part of Gaza, and along the border with Israel. The future governance of Gaza remains unclear. Under the U.S. plan, an international body will oversee the territory, with Palestinian technocrats managing day-to-day affairs. Hamas has stated that Gaza’s government should be decided among Palestinians.

The plan envisions an eventual role for Abbas’ Palestinian Authority, something Netanyahu has long opposed, but it requires the authority to undergo reforms. The plan also includes an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police. Israeli forces would leave as those forces deploy. About 200 U.S. troops are in Israel to monitor the ceasefire.

The plan also mentions the possibility of a future Palestinian state, a concept that remains unacceptable to Netanyahu.