Just two days after the second anniversary of the start of the Israel- Hamas war, Oct. 7, both Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal administered by United States president Donald Trump.
The 20-point plan addresses some key issues faced by the two entities over the last two years of the war. Some of the problems that the plan intends to solve are, most importantly, the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire deal between them. However, some additional stipulations include a withdrawal from Gaza and full aid being allowed and distributed to the Gaza strip.
While the conflict has been ongoing for decades prior to the start of the war, this deal marks a new era for Gaza. The deal acknowledges the devastation of the area, stating one stipulation: “Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.”
On Oct. 21, Vice President JD Vance commented on the deal, stating that the ceasefire agreement is “going better than I expected.” He added that, “if Hamas does not cooperate, it will be obliterated.” U.S. Senator Marco Rubio also stated on Oct. 23 that the plan was making “good progress,” but that more work needed to be done.
However, according to Al Jazeera, the humanitarian aid crisis in Gaza is worsening. Israel continues to restrict access to aid for Gazans and the World Health Organization (WHO) says that 15,000 Palestinians are “in desperate need of medical treatment” and “are awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza after 41 critical patients were evacuated yesterday, as the Rafah border crossing remains shut despite the ceasefire deal.”
Hamas has also called on Trump to ensure that Israel follows all of the agreed-upon stipulations within the plan. Previous ceasefire agreements between Israel and Hamas have happened with the changes being either short-lived or completely disregarded. After the agreement, Israel airstruck Gaza again on Oct. 19, killing 26 Palestinians, but reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement afterwards.
With regard to Hamas, the agreement in the plan includes a plank that all Hamas members who are committed to a peaceful co-existence and a decommission of their weapons will be given full amnesty, and those who wish to leave Gaza will be provided a safe passage to countries who will accept them.
One of the most important aspects of the plan is the commitment from the U.S. to “reenergise” Gaza and redevelop its cities. The Gaza strip has been destroyed in many areas, and this agreement ensures that they will be able to rebuild after the war.
Many Gazans who were forced to evacuate at the beginning of the war are returning to find their homes either completely demolished or with severe structural damage. Part of the redevelopment may include rebuilding these homes, but the exact details of the plan have been left largely unstated.
The Israeli hostages have been returned, with many gathering in public in Israel to celebrate their release in areas that were previously occupied by protests advocating for it since their initial capture two years ago.
What is left for many Palestinians is a waiting game on the second phase of the plan, as well as to observe the actual changes to come from the plan. While Israel has begun its withdrawal within the stated timeline, the remaining parts of the plan that have a longer timeline will be enacted in the coming weeks and months.