After President Donald Trump’s optimistic announcement of a “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” the ceasefire deal faced challenges as Israel and Hamas traded accusations of violating the fragile agreement. World leaders hurried to strategize the next steps to uphold it.
The initial phase of the peace plan focused on halting hostilities, increasing aid, and exchanging Israeli captives in Gaza for Palestinians detained in Israel. However, by Tuesday, tensions arose on all fronts. In Gaza, violent clashes erupted as Hamas asserted its dominance, even resorting to executing individuals accused of collaborating with Israel.
Gershon Baskin, a seasoned Israeli negotiator, expressed concern about the crisis, emphasizing the imperative of preserving the agreement to prevent its collapse.
Israel responded to Hamas returning only four of the 28 deceased hostages’ bodies in Gaza by threatening to restrict aid flow and limit entry of agreed-upon aid trucks. Although Hamas later returned additional bodies, Israel discovered discrepancies in the remains handed over, fueling further discord.
Amid uncertainties, Ela Haimi, a widow affected by the conflict, urged authorities to press Hamas for the return of all bodies before advancing to the next phase, contrasting with Trump’s assertion that the second stage had commenced.
The subsequent phase mandates further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas disarmament, a formidable task considering the group’s continued control over the region. The presence of armed individuals patrolling streets and public executions highlight the challenges ahead.
Plans for an international stabilization force deployment lack clarity on participating countries. Nimrod Novik, an adviser involved in diplomatic efforts, raised concerns about potential miscalculations during the transitional phase.
The ceasefire’s efficacy remains critical, with Gaza Health Ministry reporting casualties from Israeli fire. Amid the rebuilding process, questions linger on Gaza’s governance post-conflict, as global pledges for reconstruction amount to $70 billion.
Trump’s proposal for a governing “board of peace” faces skepticism, with concerns over Palestinian involvement in decision-making. Hiba Husseini, a legal expert, criticized the deal’s vagueness and lack of Palestinian representation in negotiations, underscoring the complex road ahead.