A truce that the U.S. helped set up went into force on Friday, marking a big step toward ending the terrible two-year war between Israel and Hamas. It allowed tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians to go back to the gravely damaged northern Gaza Strip. This truce also meant that all of the other hostages would soon be freed.
Displaced Palestinians, who had been moved many times, flooded the coastal routes, usually on foot, coming back to places like Khan Younis and Gaza City. Most people felt relief, but it was mixed with shock at the huge amount of death and destruction they saw.
“There wasn’t much joy, but the ceasefire made the pain of death and bloodshed a little easier,” said Jamal Mesbah, who hopes to go back to the north.
In southern cities like Khan Younis, people saw buildings that had been destroyed, rubble, and full desolation. Fatma Radwan said as she walked home, “There was nothing left.” “Just some clothes, wood, and pots.”
Demands for the release of hostages and disarmament
The ceasefire agreement says that the last 48 hostages, about 20 of whom are thought to be alive, must be freed by Monday. Israel is supposed to let off of some 2,000 Palestinian inmates in return.
In a broadcast on TV, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the ceasefire might not last long. Netanyahu said that the next steps require Hamas to give up its weapons and Gaza to be demilitarized. This comes after he interrupted a ceasefire in March.
“That’s fine if this is done the easy way. Netanyahu said that if Hamas doesn’t do what it says, the Israeli military could have to do it the hard way.
The Israeli military has verified that the ceasefire has begun, but they have also said that they will have a defensive presence in the part of Gaza that they still control (around 50%). Israel sees Marwan Barghouti, a well-known Palestinian leader, as a terrorist, hence he was not on the list of expected inmates to be released.
A humanitarian crisis and political instability
The conflict, which started when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 prisoners, has been terrible. The Health Ministry in Gaza says that Israel’s attack has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and wounded almost 170,000. About 90% of Gaza’s two million people have had to leave their homes.
Israel disputes the claims of war crimes that have come out during the crisis. The International Criminal Court wants to prosecute Netanyahu and his former defense minister for allegedly using famine as a weapon of war.
Shipments of aid will start
Israel has given the United Nations permission to start sending more aid on Sunday to help with the terrible malnutrition and famine caused by the conflict and limits on aid. This aid includes 170,000 metric tons that are sitting in countries next door, such Jordan and Egypt, and humanitarian officials have been waiting to move them. The Kerem Shalom gate is already letting through fuel, medical supplies, and other important goods, but the UN is asking Israel to open more border crossings.
The Future of Gaza’s Government
Unanswered questions regarding who will run Gaza after the Israeli force leaves are key to the long-term success of the truce.
The Trump proposal that the U.S. helped make outlines:
An Israeli military presence along its border that doesn’t end.
An international security force made up mostly of soldiers from Arab and Muslim countries.
The U.S. is in charge of a huge reconstruction project that is being funded by many countries.
The Palestinian Authority would eventually have a role, but it would need to go through a long and thorough reform program.
The Trump plan is still unclear about a future Palestinian state, which Netanyahu strongly opposes.