One day following U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of a “landmark beginning of a fresh Middle East era,” the highly anticipated ceasefire deal faced strain as Israel and Hamas traded accusations of breaching the delicate agreement. Meanwhile, global leaders hurried to strategize the next steps to uphold the deal. The initial phase of the peace initiative focused on halting hostilities, increasing humanitarian aid, and repatriating all Israeli captives in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israel. By Tuesday, tensions arose on all these fronts, with Gaza witnessing deadly clashes as Hamas asserted its dominance, including through the execution of individuals accused of collaborating with Israel.
Gershon Baskin, a seasoned Israeli negotiator, expressed concern, stating, “We are facing a significant crisis. There is extensive work ahead, and we must prevent the collapse of this agreement, whether in the short or long term.”
Israel issued a threat to reduce aid after Hamas returned only four of the 28 bodies of Israeli hostages still in Gaza. Subsequently, Israel announced limitations, including not reopening the Rafah crossing and allowing only half of the agreed 600 aid trucks into Gaza. Despite Hamas returning four additional bodies, Israel confirmed through forensic tests that one body was not a hostage. Even before the deal took effect, Hamas indicated delays in recovering all remains due to extensive destruction in Gaza, where approximately 60% of structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Ela Haimi, whose husband was killed in a previous attack, voiced her distress over the situation, emphasizing the need for all bodies to be returned before progressing to the next phase, contrary to Trump’s announcement in Egypt that the second phase had commenced.
The subsequent phase entails Israel withdrawing further from Gaza, while Hamas relinquishes its weapons, a challenging task given the group’s continued control over the region vacated by Israel. Videos surfaced showing armed individuals patrolling streets and engaging in public executions, raising concerns about maintaining order. Plans for an international stabilization force deployment in Gaza remain vague, with Nimrod Novik highlighting potential risks stemming from interim uncertainties.
Reports of casualties emerged, with Palestinians killed in Israeli fire, intensifying tensions. Novik warned that if the agreement stagnates with both IDF and Hamas retaining control over different regions, it could jeopardize the entire process. However, the deployment of U.S. troops to monitor the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope amid the challenges.
Efforts to rebuild Gaza gained momentum with commitments of $70 billion USD from various nations. Yet, uncertainties loom over governance in the region, with questions arising about the proposed “board of peace” and its composition, sparking concerns about potential repercussions for Palestinians.
In light of these developments, navigating the path ahead poses substantial challenges, especially with key stakeholders expressing reservations about the current agreement’s inclusivity and effectiveness.
