After President Donald Trump’s optimistic declaration of a “new Middle East era,” the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal faced challenges with both sides accusing each other of breaching the fragile agreement. Despite efforts by global leaders to salvage the deal, tensions escalated over the first phase of the peace plan, which aimed to halt hostilities, increase humanitarian aid, and facilitate the exchange of hostages between Israel and Gaza.
The situation grew more complicated as Hamas, seeking to assert its control, engaged in deadly clashes and executed individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel. The return of deceased hostages’ bodies was also a point of contention, with Israel restricting aid deliveries after Hamas failed to return all remains as agreed upon.
Concerns were raised about the ceasefire’s stability, with fears of a potential collapse looming large. The need for all bodies to be repatriated before proceeding to the next phase was emphasized by affected families, while Trump indicated the commencement of the plan’s second stage during his recent statements.
The power dynamics in Gaza remained precarious, with Hamas maintaining its grip and armed groups conducting public executions, raising doubts about the smooth transition to the subsequent phase. Efforts to deploy an international stabilization force to Gaza were underway, but uncertainties persisted regarding the composition and timing of the troop deployment.
The situation was further complicated by the reported casualties in Gaza, underscoring the volatile environment and the risks of escalation if the agreement faltered. As efforts continued to rebuild Gaza with substantial international funding commitments, questions arose about the future governance of the region, with concerns about potential external influence and the involvement of key stakeholders in decision-making processes.