ISREAL, HAMAS INK TRUCE, PAVE WAY FOR HOSTAGE RELEASE IN GAZA
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BY MUNIRAT BALOGUN
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the initial phase of a ceasefire initiative, which will entail the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to a designated line in Gaza.
This represents the most substantial advancement toward resolving the ongoing conflict that has persisted for two years.
US President Donald Trump announced this development in a late Wednesday social media post.
The White House had previously introduced a 20-point framework for peace in Gaza as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared for discussions with Trump in Washington last week.
The proposal encompassed an immediate cessation of military activities and the liberation of all hostages within a 72-hour timeframe. “I am extremely proud to declare that Israel and Hamas have both endorsed the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump remarked.
He further noted that all involved parties would be treated equitably.
Trump indicated that as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire arrangement, hostages are anticipated to be released on Monday.
The president also announced that his administration is “establishing a council for peace” to ensure a durable resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The previously disclosed 20-point initiative called for a “Board of Peace” composed of international leaders, whose purpose would be to guarantee that Hamas does not hold a governing position in Gaza.
Instead, the territory would be administered by a “technocratic, non-partisan Palestinian committee” and a “board of peace. ”
However, in his announcement on Truth Social, Trump did not address issues related to future governance in Gaza.
Hamas stated that it has provided Israel with lists of Palestinian detainees to be freed as part of the ceasefire accord.
Global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters, have praised the agreement.
Nonetheless, optimism remains cautious.
Previous ceasefire attempts have frequently gained traction only to falter midway.
So far, Israel has insisted that Hamas must disarm, a condition that Hamas has thus far declined to negotiate.
Hamas has also requested a clear timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, along with assurances of a complete pullback.
Though Israel has moderated its military operations in Gaza at Trump’s request, it has not ceased attacks entirely.
Regarding the future governance of Gaza, Hamas has dismissed discussions of foreign oversight.
However, analysts suggest that the thorough and systematic nature of Trump’s Gaza peace plan lays the groundwork for what could be a significant breakthrough in years.
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