Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have signed an agreement to cease fire and free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, marking a major breakthrough in US President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the two-year war in Gaza.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Deal: Exchange and Aid
- The Exchange: Fighting will cease, and Hamas will release all remaining hostages (approximately 20 confirmed alive) in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Hostages are expected to be freed early next week.
- Humanitarian Relief: A massive surge of food and medical aid will be allowed into Gaza, where over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
- Trump’s Role: US President Donald Trump, who called the deal a “major diplomatic achievement,” is scheduled to head to the region on Sunday. He has also been invited to address the Israeli Knesset.
Hurdles and Internal Opposition
While the announcement was met with jubilation by Israelis and Palestinians, significant challenges remain:
- Political Threat: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces opposition from his far-right coalition partners. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to bring down the government if Hamas is not fully dismantled.
- Unresolved Issues: Critical steps, including the ultimate fate of Hamas (which refuses to disarm) and the governance of the shattered Gaza Strip, have yet to be finalized in follow-up discussions.
- Prisoner List: The list of Palestinian prisoners for release is still being finalized.
