Israel prepares for hostage release ahead of Trump visit to Middle East | DW News

Key Concepts Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Release Protocol, Peace Summit, Humanitarian Aid Distribution, Gaza Reconstruction, Palestinian Governance, Israeli Occupation, Donald Trump's Leverage, Interior Ministry (Gaza), Tribal Forces Militias, Nasser Hospital (Khan Younis), Save the Children, Diplomatic Soft Power, Self-Determination, Structural Violence.

Ceasefire Implementation and Hostage Release

A ceasefire is currently in effect in Gaza, leading to the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to their homes and the commencement of urgent aid deliveries. A peace summit, co-hosted by the Egyptian and US presidents, will convene on Monday with leaders from over 20 countries to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war.

The Israeli government has detailed the protocol for the release of hostages:

• Release Schedule: All 20 remaining living hostages are expected to be released simultaneously early Monday morning.
• Transfer Process: They will be handed over to the Red Cross and transported in six to eight vehicles, with Hamas explicitly not making a public spectacle of the transfer, unlike a previous ceasefire in January.
• Journey to Israel: Hostages will be driven to Israeli-controlled parts of Gaza, then transferred to the Raheem base in southern Israel for reunion with their families.
• Deceased Hostages: The remains of deceased hostages will be transferred shortly after.

Political Landscape and Future of the Conflict

Kristen Hellbeck, a Middle East expert, discussed whether the ceasefire signals the end of the war. While the Israeli government's stated aims were to bring back hostages and destroy Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet declared an official end to the war. Hellbeck emphasizes that an end to the war does not automatically mean the beginning of peace, as significant political efforts are still required, and Hamas has not yet been destroyed.

Factors Preventing Netanyahu from Breaking the Ceasefire:

• Donald Trump's Leverage: Hamas reportedly trusts Donald Trump, not the Israeli government, to ensure the ceasefire holds. Trump has a history of using his influence on Netanyahu, having previously forced him to apologize to the Qatari Prime Minister after an attack on Hamas negotiators in Doha and to halt a 12-day war against Iran in June.
• Internal Israeli Pressures: The Israeli military is reportedly "overstretched," and the Israeli public is "tired of this fighting." Netanyahu might leverage this "moment of triumph" to call early elections and seek new coalition partners.

Gaza's Post-Ceasefire Governance and Security

The question of who controls Gaza as the Israeli army withdraws is critical. Currently, in areas of Israeli withdrawal, forces from Gaza's Interior Ministry, previously under Hamas control, are stepping in. This is seen as a transitional period requiring legitimate Palestinian forces to restore public order.

Challenges and Solutions for Governance:

• Risk of Fragmentation: Israel's previous arming of "tribal forces militias in the south" poses a "big risk and a danger."
• Palestinian Control: Hamas has stated it will only surrender its arms to a Palestinian force, not an "international colonial perceived power."
• Training Initiative: Egypt and Jordan are actively training 5,000 Palestinian forces to enter Gaza and assume control, aiming to establish a legitimate Palestinian authority.

International Peace Summit and Palestinian Statehood

The upcoming international peace summit in Egypt, attended by leaders from various Arab, European, and Asian countries (including Indonesia and Turkey), aims to build on the current momentum. Hellbeck argues that merely funding the "restructuring of Gaza" will be insufficient, as the "core of the problem is the Israeli occupation."

Key Objectives for the Summit:

• Diplomatic Efforts: Utilize "diplomatic soft power efforts" to address broader issues, such as the future of the West Bank and its unification with Gaza.
• Legitimate Palestinian Leadership: Focus on creating a Palestinian leadership that is "legitimate from a Palestinian point of view."
• Critique of "Trump Plan": The existing "Trump plan" is criticized as "very one-sided," prioritizing Israeli security without adequately addressing Palestinian security interests. It expects Palestinians to "deradicalize and demilitarize" while still "under occupation" and experiencing "structural violence."
• Palestinian Self-Determination: It is crucial that Palestinian interests are heard, with Arab and Gulf countries, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey advocating for a solution that allows Palestinians to "effectively govern Gaza and the West Bank together."

Humanitarian Crisis and Reconstruction Challenges

Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are returning to heavily destroyed residential areas. While a "measure of normality" is being restored with aid agencies increasing deliveries and commercial centers bustling, the scale of destruction is immense.

On-the-Ground Situation:

• Economic Recovery: Gaza City's market is well-stocked with vegetables, canned goods, soft drinks, and previously scarce cigarettes. Prices have reportedly dropped by "70 to 80%."
• Human Cost: Health officials report over 100 bodies recovered since the ceasefire, many brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis for burial. Families are now able to retrieve bodies of loved ones lost months ago.
• Unprecedented Destruction: The destruction is compared to the scale "not seen since the end of the Second World War." The UN estimates "54 million tons of rubble" need to be cleared, a task engineers find "daunting." Over "90% of Hanun is destroyed," a scale "beyond the capacity of any country."
• Future Apprehension: Many residents feel that while the war is over, they are now entering "another war, and that is the struggle to survive."
• Aid Progress: The UN reports "real progress" in bringing in supplies, including cooking gas, for the first time since March.

Aid Distribution Logistics and Needs

Rachel Cummings, Humanitarian Director for Save the Children in Gaza, highlighted the critical needs and logistical challenges of aid distribution.

Key Needs and Challenges:

• Scale and Consistency: Humanitarian and commercial supplies must enter Gaza "at scale and consistently" to build community confidence and prevent looting.
• Beyond Basic Supplies: While food and water are life-sustaining, essential services like healthcare and nutrition must also continue.
• Comprehensive Supplies: "Everything" is needed, including fresh food, vegetables, and medical supplies, as hospitals and infrastructure are extensively damaged.
• Reconstruction Equipment: "Large scale equipment" is urgently required to begin clearing the "extraordinary" amount of rubble.
• Vulnerable Populations: Humanitarian actors like Save the Children are prepared to conduct "safe and dignified distributions," prioritizing the "most vulnerable" – children and women heading households, the disabled, and the elderly, who have lacked consistent supplies for months.
• Increased Deliveries: To increase aid, "600 trucks plus fuel" are needed. Fuel is "absolutely essential" for hospitals and kitchens. The recent entry of cooking gas is a positive step, enabling people to cook food received through distributions.

Conclusion/Main Takeaways

The current ceasefire in Gaza represents a fragile but critical opportunity for de-escalation, hostage release, and humanitarian relief. While immediate efforts focus on aid delivery and the return of displaced populations, the long-term challenges are immense. These include the daunting task of clearing 54 million tons of rubble and rebuilding infrastructure, establishing legitimate Palestinian governance, and addressing the core political issues of Israeli occupation and Palestinian self-determination. The international peace summit and the leverage of key global actors like Donald Trump are seen as crucial for sustaining the ceasefire and pushing for a comprehensive peace that extends beyond immediate security concerns to encompass the fundamental rights and interests of Palestinians, ultimately aiming for a unified and self-governing Gaza and West Bank.