What happens next in Gaza ceasefire after hostages and prisoners are freed
Israel Gaza Ceasefire Agreement: Among the several issues left to resolve in the Gaza ceasefire agreement, one of the most difficult remains Israel’s insistence that a weakened Hamas disarm.
People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. (AP Photo)
Israel Gaza Ceasefire Plan: Israel and Hamas moved ahead on a key first step in the 20-point Gaza ceasefire agreement signed last week in Egypt during indirect talks and freed hostages and prisoners on Monday, raising hopes that the US-brokered deal could pave the way for ending the two year old war permanently that has ravaged the Palestinian territory.
For Israelis, the return of 20 living hostages brought elation and a sense of closure to a war that many feel was forced on the country due to Hamas’ terror attack on October 7, 2023 which killed over 1,200 people and the militant group abducted 251 people to Gaza. Though many in Israel have pledged to keep the fighting on in for the return of deceased hostages still in Gaza.
Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker holds a flag next to former hostage and girlfriend Ilana Gritsevsky, center, and his mother Einav Zangauker, left, at the Ichilov Hospital, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo)
Hamas has returned four deceased hostages on Monday and another 24 are to be returned as part of the first phase of the ceasefire, which also requires Israel to allow a surge of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. Close to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were also freed by the Israeli authorities on Monday.
Next steps of ceasefire plan:
Israel says the deal achieves its war objectives
US President Donald Trump traveled to the region to celebrate the ceasefire deal and signed the agreement in Egypt during a global “peace summit”. Trump also addressed the Israeli parliament and urged the lawmakers of Tel Aviv to seize the opportunity for broader peace in the region. In Egypt, Trump and other world leaders gathered to set the deal in motion.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it “ends the war by achieving all our objectives.” The war between Israel and Hamas rippled across the Middle East with conflicts erupting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen and Iran itself.
Among the several issues left to resolve in the Gaza ceasefire agreement, one of the most difficult remains Israel’s insistence that a weakened Hamas disarm and it depends on Israeli military’s full withdrawal from the Gaza territory. Hamas has refused to fully disarm and the militant groups want to ensure that Israel withdraws from Palestine completely, leaving some room for Netanyahu to say that Israel still has some room to resume fighting.
Till now, the Israeli military has withdrawn from Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and other areas. Though the Israeli troops remain stationed in most of the southern city of Rafah, towns of Gaza’s far north, and along the length of Gaza’s border with Israel, AP reported.
Future governance of Gaza
One of the key aspects that remain unclear even after the signing of the first phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement is the future governance of Gaza. As per the 20-point peace plan sponsored by Trump, an international body is poised to govern the territory, overseeing Palestinian technocrats running the daily affairs. However, Hamas has said that the Gaza government should be worked out by the Palestinians.
The future governance plan envisions a role for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who governs parts of the West Bank, though it has been opposed by Netanyahu. For Abbas to attain a role, the Palestinian authority requires to undergo reforms. The plan also calls for an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police. Close to 200 US military personnel are currently stationed in Gaza to monitor the ceasefire.
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People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. (AP Photo) 
