Regional leaders sign declaration to cement the first phase of a the Gaza ceasefire | DW News

Key Concepts

• Gaza Ceasefire: The initial phase of an agreement to halt hostilities in Gaza.
• Hostage-Prisoner Exchange: The release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
• US-Brokered Plan: The diplomatic effort led by the US President to facilitate the ceasefire.
• Sharm el-Sheikh Summit: A gathering of world leaders and mediators in Egypt to guarantee the ceasefire and discuss Gaza's future.
• Humanitarian Aid: The provision of essential supplies to the population in Gaza.
• Palestinian Self-Determination: The right of Palestinians to govern themselves and establish a state.
• Future Governance of Gaza: Discussions regarding the post-conflict administration of the Gaza Strip.
• Technocratic Government: A government composed of technical experts rather than elected politicians.
• National Commission of Inquiry: An official investigation into significant events, specifically regarding the October 7th, 2023 events in Israel.

The First Phase of the Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release

US President Donald Trump declared a "tremendous day for the Middle East" as regional leaders signed a declaration to cement the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza. This signing followed the return of the last remaining living Israeli hostages, ending over two years of captivity. The release was part of a US-brokered plan aimed at ending the war that began on October 7th, 2023.

Specific Details and Examples:

• Hostage Release: Matan Zangalker was reunited with his mother after more than two years. Family members expressed profound relief, with one stating, "My big brother uh alone is back home. There is no words to describe how we feel. The best day of my life, really."
• Trump's Statement: President Trump observed the reunions backstage, remarking, "After years of suffering and bloodshed, the war in Gaza is over. Civilians are returning to their homes. The hostages are re reuniting. I mean, it's beautiful. I'm just watching it backstage. The the level of love and sorrow. I've never seen anything like it."
• First Stage of the Deal: The exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners was the initial phase of the agreement.

The Sharm el-Sheikh Summit and Future of Gaza

Just hours after the final hostages returned to Israel, world leaders convened in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Mediators including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US formally signed ceasefire documents between Israel and Hamas.

Key Arguments and Perspectives:

• Purpose of the Summit: Journalist Karim al-Ohari reported that the summit's main purpose was to "guarantee the first phase of the ceasefire agreement," much of which was already implemented before the formal signing. It aimed to provide international weight to ensure the ceasefire holds and to address Palestinian fears that the Israeli offensive might resume after hostage release, giving diplomacy a chance.
• Egypt's Stance: Egypt's President Abdul Fatah el-Sisi stated the summit marked "a new era of peace and stability in the Middle East."
• Regional Mediators' Emphasis: Qatar and Turkey, key mediators, stressed that a lasting solution "can only work if it ends up when Palestinians have their right to self-determination and some kind of Palestinian state."
• Trump's Focus vs. Regional Concerns: President Trump, however, focused more on the "construction" (reconstruction) of the Gaza Strip and "avoided all these topics that concerned really a possible outcome as it is vaguely mentioned in the document of a Palestinian state."
• Lack of Pledges: Notably, "no money was pledged for example for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip" at the summit.

Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

Following the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with the population awaiting significant aid.

Specific Details and Statistics:

• Aid Influx: While the influx of aid trucks "picked up a little bit" in the morning after the ceasefire, Israel promised to let in "five to 600 trucks a day."
• Basic Needs: This volume is deemed "absolutely necessary to fulfill the basic needs of the population in Gaza because for so many months nothing came in."
• Further Needs: Beyond basic supplies, heavy machinery is needed to clear streets, and the UN estimates "hundreds of thousands of tents to get ready for the winter." The immediate focus is on getting humanitarian aid in and preparing the population for winter.

Mood in Israel and Internal Debates

In Israel, the release of hostages brought an "extraordinary day" and "the end of a chapter" for many who had protested for nearly two years. However, this relief was quickly dampened by new uncertainties and existing internal debates.

Key Points and Supporting Evidence:

• Emotional Day: The reunions were highly emotional, but the "road to recovery is a long one" for the former hostages.
• Hamas Violation: The mood was "dampened" when Hamas announced it would only hand over the remains of four deceased hostages, not the 28 that were expected. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katsi stated that "Hamas violated this agreement or at least the first phase." This left families uncertain about the fate of other deceased hostages.
• Internal Debate: An escalating internal debate in Israel concerns "the responsibilities and processing what really happened on October 7," particularly the political responsibilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not taken responsibility and has "pushed off all the calls for a national commission of inquiry."

Next Steps and Future Governance of Gaza

The future of the Gaza peace plan remains uncertain, with significant issues yet to be resolved.

Step-by-Step Processes and Challenges:

• Fluid Transition: US President Donald Trump described the transition between the first and second phases as "fluid."
• Outstanding Issues: While most of the first phase (hostage/prisoner exchange, initial aid) was implemented, the return of deceased hostages remains a contentious point.
• Indirect Negotiations: In theory, both parties should return for indirect negotiations on "major issues that have not been hammered out yet."
• Lack of Trust: The "trust between Hamas and Israel is extremely low or even not even existent."
• Phase Two Challenges: The next phase would involve discussions on the "governance of Gaza," including the "transition into handing over to a technocratic government," and the extensive "reconstruction" efforts. These "big big issues" are yet to be resolved, leaving the future direction unclear.

Conclusion

The initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire, marked by the release of Israeli hostages and the signing of a declaration in Sharm el-Sheikh, brought a mix of profound relief and persistent uncertainty. While the US-brokered deal achieved its first objective of hostage exchange and initiated humanitarian aid, significant challenges remain. These include Hamas's partial fulfillment of returning deceased hostages, the critical need for massive humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and deep disagreements over the future governance of the Strip and the prospect of a Palestinian state. The summit in Egypt provided international backing for the ceasefire but did not resolve the core political issues or secure reconstruction pledges. Both internal Israeli debates regarding accountability for October 7th and the fundamental lack of trust between the parties underscore the fragility of the current peace and the complex road ahead for a lasting resolution.