One day following the declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump of a “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” the highly anticipated ceasefire deal faced challenges as both Israel and Hamas accused each other of breaching the delicate agreement. Global leaders rushed 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. In Gaza, violent confrontations erupted as Hamas aimed to solidify its control, including executing individuals accused of collaborating with Israel.
Gershon Baskin, an experienced Israeli negotiator, expressed concerns about the situation, emphasizing the urgency of preserving the agreement to prevent its collapse.
Israel issued a warning to reduce aid after Hamas returned only four of the 28 deceased hostages’ bodies still in Gaza. Israel decided not to reopen the Rafah crossing and restricted aid truck access. Despite Hamas returning additional bodies, Israel later confirmed that one body was not a hostage.
Even before the ceasefire’s implementation, Hamas signaled delays in recovering all remains due to extensive damage in Gaza, where approximately 60% of structures were destroyed or damaged.
Ela Haimi, whose husband was killed defending their community, urged assertive actions to pressure Hamas for full compliance. She emphasized the importance of repatriating all bodies before advancing to the next phase, contrasting Trump’s indication that the second stage had commenced.
The subsequent phase involves Israel further withdrawing from Gaza and Hamas relinquishing weapons, a challenging task given Hamas’s continued dominance over the vacated areas. Amid reports of Hamas enforcing control with public executions and clashes, concerns mount over potential escalations jeopardizing the process.
Nimrod Novik highlighted the interim uncertainties and risks of misinterpretations, advocating for swift deployment of stabilization forces outlined in previous plans. The deployment of a significant troop contingent may take time, posing potential obstacles.
As the situation unfolds, the presence of international troops in Gaza under the agreement aims to maintain security. The reported casualties and continued tensions underscore the fragility of the ceasefire.
Efforts to rebuild Gaza with substantial financial commitments face governance questions. Discussions revolve around local governance oversight, with Trump’s proposed “board of peace” raising concerns over possible external influence disregarding Palestinian input.
Hiba Husseini criticized the lack of Palestinian involvement in negotiations, emphasizing the challenges ahead amidst uncertainties surrounding the agreement’s implementation. The evolving dynamics in Gaza prompt apprehensions about the path forward.
