After months of stalled diplomacy and escalating humanitarian crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the initial phase of his long-promised Gaza peace plan. The announcement — made on his Truth Social platform — has raised cautious optimism across the globe but also prompted skepticism about what comes next.
The deal, if implemented, could bring the first sustained pause in violence since the war began. Yet, much about its enforcement, governance structure, and the future of Gaza remains undefined.
What Has Been Agreed So Far
According to Trump’s announcement, both Israel and Hamas have reached an understanding that could lead to a temporary ceasefire and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present the agreement to his security cabinet for approval, a step that would formally trigger the ceasefire.
Under the initial phase:
- Israeli forces will conduct a partial withdrawal from Gaza within 24 hours after the ceasefire takes effect.
- Hamas will have 72 hours to release 20 Israeli hostages believed to be alive, though the condition of two of them remains critical.
- In return, Israel will release approximately 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences.
Negotiations are ongoing regarding which prisoners will be freed and where they might be transferred. Israeli sources indicate that individuals convicted of murder will not be allowed to return to the occupied West Bank, though relocation to a third country remains under consideration.
Notably, Marwan Barghouti — the influential Palestinian political leader imprisoned since 2002 — will not be among those released, according to the Israeli government’s spokesperson.
The Unresolved Questions
Despite the symbolic breakthrough, Trump’s deal leaves critical issues hanging. His broader 20-point peace framework, introduced last month, called for deeper political and structural reforms that neither side has yet accepted.
1. Disarmament
Trump’s plan proposes that Hamas renounce armed resistance and surrender all weapons through an amnesty process. However, disarmament remains one of Hamas’s red lines. Without assurances of political inclusion and long-term security, analysts doubt Hamas will concede this demand.
2. Post-War Governance in Gaza
The proposal envisions a temporary transitional government made up of “qualified Palestinians and international experts,” overseen by a newly created “Board of Peace.” This international supervisory body would manage reconstruction and governance during the transition.
Still, it is unclear who will lead this board, how its members will be selected, or how it will maintain authority in a politically fractured region.
3. Israeli Withdrawal and Security Oversight
Trump’s plan outlines an “International Stabilization Force” (ISF) tasked with training vetted Palestinian security personnel, after which the Israel Defense Forces would fully withdraw. Israel has not agreed to this provision, citing security concerns over Hamas’s potential rearmament.
4. Security Guarantees for Both Sides
Hamas seeks assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the ceasefire ends. Previous truces, including one earlier this year, collapsed amid mutual mistrust. The absence of a binding international enforcement mechanism raises doubts about whether this ceasefire can hold.
What Comes Next
If Netanyahu’s cabinet ratifies the agreement, the ceasefire could take effect as soon as Friday, with hostages potentially freed early next week. Unlike earlier deals, Trump insists on the simultaneous release of all hostages rather than staggered exchanges.
However, political resistance within Israel poses another obstacle. Several hardline members of Netanyahu’s coalition, including far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have already labeled Trump’s proposal as “a surrender.” Their opposition could destabilize the Israeli government if the full peace framework proceeds.
Meanwhile, Trump has confirmed plans to visit Israel soon, possibly addressing the Knesset in what would be a highly symbolic gesture reinforcing U.S. involvement in the region’s diplomatic future.
A Fragile Beginning or a Turning Point?
While Trump’s announcement represents the first concrete movement toward peace in months, experts caution that it remains a partial and precarious agreement. Without a clear consensus on Gaza’s governance, disarmament, and long-term security arrangements, the truce could prove short-lived.
Still, for millions of civilians trapped in Gaza’s ruins and thousands of families awaiting news of their loved ones, even the possibility of silence after months of gunfire offers a sliver of hope.
