The first phase of a Gaza peace deal has been agreed upon | 7.30

Key Concepts

• Hostage Release: The immediate priority, involving the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
• Humanitarian Aid: The flow of aid into Gaza, with differing perspectives on its current status and impediments.
• Ceasefire/Military Pause: A temporary cessation of military activity in Gaza as part of the agreement.
• IDF Withdrawal: The Israeli Defense Forces' repositioning within Gaza according to agreed-upon lines.
• Terrorist Release: The release of convicted Palestinian terrorists, including some involved in the October 7th massacre, in exchange for hostages.
• Trump Peace Plan: A comprehensive 20-point plan proposed by President Trump, serving as the framework for negotiations.
• Hamas's Future Role: The contentious issue of whether Hamas will have any political or military role in Gaza's future.
• Two-State Solution: The concept of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, which Israel currently opposes based on past failures.
• Tunnel Network: The extensive underground infrastructure built by Hamas in Gaza.
• Mediation: The role of Qatar, the United States, Egypt, and other countries in facilitating the talks.
• International Stabilization Force (ISF): A proposed multinational force for post-conflict Gaza.
• Decommissioning of Weapons: The process of disarming Hamas, as per the Trump plan.

Israeli Perspective: Sharon Haskell

Immediate Next Steps and Hostage Release Sharon Haskell states that aid is already flowing into Gaza, with "hundreds of trucks" waiting for the UN. The immediate focus is on the release of hostages in exchange for "terrorists with blood on their hands." She expresses hope that the hostages, some held in "dungeons of torture of kamas for almost two years today" (likely referring to the duration since October 7th, but stated as two years), will be hugged "this weekend." However, she cautions against excessive excitement due to dealing with a terrorist organization.

Israeli Public Sentiment and Prisoner Release The moment is one of "great happiness" for the return of hostages, but also "very difficult" for the Israeli public. This difficulty stems from the release of "hundreds of convicted terrorists who have murdered children and women and innocent men." Some of these are "Hamas operatives who have participated in the 7th of October massacre" and will be released "straight into society without restrictions." This is particularly painful for the families of victims murdered by these individuals.

Military Activity and IDF Withdrawal Once the agreement is signed (expected to pass government discussion within hours), a "military ceasefire" or "pause" will commence within 72 hours, coinciding with the hostage release. Israel will need to "withdraw a lot of its troop back." Haskell mentions three withdrawal lines "drawn by President Trump": one with the agreement's signature, another after hostage release, and a third at the agreement's end. She notes that details, including specific lines and names of terrorists, are pending the government meeting, as "things may have changed" in recent discussions.

Hamas's Future Role and the Trump Plan Israel "said yes entirely" to President Trump's peace plan, as have Arab countries like Jordan, Qatar, and Turkey. Hamas, however, has only agreed to the first stage (hostage release), with details for the second stage still under negotiation. Haskell asserts that Israel, the United States, and Arab countries (including Turkey, Qatar, and the Palestinian Authority) agree that Hamas "cannot have any role in the future of the Palestinians, not civiliently and not military." She argues that if Hamas remains in power, they will repeat the "same atrocities committed on the 7th of October," including "rape of little girls, the burning of families alive, executing home after home." She emphasizes that Hamas "do not want peace" or "coexistence," and therefore "the entire world understands that they have no role to play in the future."

Tunnel Network and Two-State Solution Regarding the destruction of Hamas's "underground city" (likened to "New York built underground"), Haskell acknowledges it's "still very difficult for us to identify and to find all of them." Whether this will be achieved is a question for a "second phase." She states that Israel "still oppose a two-state solution," calling the "obsession with a two-state solution" a failure that "will not create peace and stability." Gaza, which was an autonomy, is presented as "the two-state solution failure that was brought on us that was exploded in our face with the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust." She argues that a "terrorist state to live beside Israel" will only cause "another round of war." Israel seeks "peace and stability" by addressing "education," "extremism," and "radical jihad."

Breaking the Deadlock and Trump's Influence The deadlock in talks was broken by "military pressure" and "Trump pressure on kamas." Haskell criticizes European countries (including Australia) for "gifted Hamas" by making it clear that "the longer this war will continue, the more they will reward kamas," which "pushed back and obliterated the chances for the peace negotiation." She describes Donald Trump as "the best friend Israel has ever had," crediting him with negotiating ceasefires with Lebanon and Hamas (this being the second). Trump, she says, understands that it's "not about the end result" or "obsession about a Palestinian state," but "about a process about building constructive steps towards peace, stability, and coexistence."

Qatari Perspective: Dr. Majed Alansari

Breaking the Deadlock and the 20-Point Plan Dr. Majed Alansari attributes the breaking of the deadlock to a "trajectory" that began with "grievous attacks on Qatar by Israel on the 9th of September," which he claims showed the Israeli Prime Minister "did not want at the time for the talks to succeed." This led to the "20-point plan" being adopted at a meeting between OIC and Arab Islamic leaders with President Trump in New York. Qatar has "reservations" about the plan but views it as "comprehensive," offering an "end of war scenario," "complete withdrawal from Raza" (Gaza), and a "complete ban on displacement of Palestinians." The last 48 hours of negotiation were "most difficult," involving the Qatari Prime Minister, intelligence chief, and technical teams, culminating in a deal struck around 1:30 a.m.

Significance of Trump's Intervention and Qatar's Sovereignty Alansari highlights the significance of President Trump reportedly forcing Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize to Qatar for the "attack on Doha" and the "attempted assassination of Hamas leaders there." Qatar took the "attack on our sovereignty" very seriously and refused to resume mediation until receiving "assurances that this attack would not happen again" and that Israel and the international community were "committed not to attack Qatar a mediator." He notes that Israel's delegation had resided in Doha for over two years, less than 10 minutes from the bombing site. The apology and "commitment and the assurance" from the US (through an executive order and Trump's words) were crucial for Qatar to re-engage.

IDF Withdrawal Supervision and End-of-War Scenario The withdrawal of the IDF will be supervised by existing operations rooms in Cairo (primary) and Arish (secondary), manned by representatives from the US, Qatar, and Egypt. This system has been used in previous ceasefires. The mediator list has expanded to include Turkey and other Arab/Islamic countries. Israelis have indicated they need 24 hours on Friday to finalize their withdrawal to the agreed lines, which Alansari clarifies "still keeps 65% of Raza under IDF occupation." The focus now shifts to the "second stage" of the agreement, which includes shaping the "end of war situation," such as the deployment of an "International Stabilization Force (ISF)" and administration.

Hamas Disarmament and Amnesty Both parties have agreed to the Trump plan, though both have reservations. The plan uses the term "decommissioning of the weapons of Hamas." Qatar has had previous discussions with Hamas on "modalities" for this and is confident that "practical steps in place" can ensure all 20 points are implemented if both parties commit. Regarding amnesty for Hamas fighters, Alansari states that Qatar hosts Hamas's political office solely due to its mediator role. He emphasizes that this is a "joint international effort" involving numerous Arab and Islamic countries (Indonesia, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt) as well as European and US partners, aiming to create the "bedrock of peace."

Hamas's Role in Negotiations and Tunnel Network Alansari clarifies that Palestinian factions, including Hamas, are "on the other side of the tables" in negotiations. It is "up to the Palestinians to decide who represents them," and the Hamas delegation is currently participating. He sees "no reason to change the composition unless there's a Palestinian decision over this." The destruction of the tunnel network is an issue that will be discussed in the "second stage and the third stage of the implementing the 20 point plan."

Ceasefire Timing and Humanitarian Aid Qatar is awaiting the Israeli cabinet meeting's agreement to the prisoner exchange. The IDF withdrawal on Friday is seen as a "sign of the ceasefire taking place," with preparations for the exchange beginning immediately after. While no specific timeline for the ceasefire is given, this is the expected trajectory. Alansari anticipates "more aid and more medicines to flow into Gaza" "immediately as soon as we have the ceasefire in place." He describes the plan as "not by any chance a perfect plan" and one that "does not satisfy the needs of both parties," but views it as a "humanitarian breakthrough" that he hopes will lead to an "end of war" and "needed peace."

Synthesis and Conclusion

The summary highlights a complex and highly sensitive negotiation process, viewed from both Israeli and Qatari perspectives. Sharon Haskell emphasizes Israel's commitment to the Trump plan, its deep concern over the release of convicted terrorists, and its firm opposition to a two-state solution, citing Gaza as a failed experiment. She credits military pressure and President Trump's direct involvement for breaking the deadlock, while criticizing European countries for inadvertently strengthening Hamas.

Dr. Majed Alansari, representing Qatar, acknowledges the Trump plan as a comprehensive framework despite reservations, and details the intense diplomatic efforts, including Qatar's insistence on an apology from Israel for an attack on its sovereignty. He outlines the monitoring mechanisms for IDF withdrawal and the phased approach to implementing the 20-point plan, including the "decommissioning" of Hamas weapons and the potential for an international stabilization force. Both speakers underscore the humanitarian imperative of the agreement, particularly the release of hostages and the flow of aid, while acknowledging the profound challenges and differing visions for Gaza's future, especially regarding Hamas's role and the long-term peace process. The immediate focus remains on the prisoner-hostage exchange and the initial ceasefire, with many critical details and long-term solutions still subject to complex negotiations.