A ceasefire agreement was signed in Egypt, marking a significant step towards resolving two years of conflict in Gaza. This agreement was highlighted by a major hostage and prisoner exchange on Monday, which involved Hamas returning all living Israeli hostages while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The exchanges were met with emotional reunions; families in both Israel and the Palestinian territories expressed their joy as loved ones were returned.
US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel shortly after the first hostages were freed and addressed the Knesset, calling it a “historic dawn in a new Middle East.” Following this, he attended a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US signed a declaration to serve as guarantors for the ceasefire. Despite celebrations, there are still significant challenges ahead for establishing lasting peace.
The initial phase of the agreement was completed with the exchange, following a ceasefire that began on Friday and increased humanitarian aid entering Gaza over the weekend. While the exchanges were broadly successful, some Israeli families voiced dissatisfaction regarding Hamas’s decision to return the remains of only four deceased hostages, with concerns that up to 24 others may still be unaccounted for.
As part of the deal, approximately 1,700 Palestinian detainees held without charge were released. Many of these prisoners were greeted by celebratory crowds, although some appeared physically weakened after their time in detention. Trump’s plan proposes that Gaza will initially be governed by a transitional committee of Palestinian technocrats, later transferring power to the Palestinian Authority (PA) once reforms are enacted.
Negotiations for the next phases of this peace plan are expected to be complex. Key points of contention include the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas. The peace process faces skepticism, especially given Hamas’s stance that it will not disarm unless a Palestinian state is recognized.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c740jx07vz0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss