The agreement in Doha between Israel and Hamas has been officially signed. After the announcement of Donald Trumpand following prolonged and complex negotiations, the representatives of Israel, States United, Qatar And Hamas they put their signature on a document establishing the release of the hostages, a key point that has kept the international community in suspense for a long time.
The path that led to this agreement was anything but simple. In particular, the debate onlist of Palestinian prisoners to be released triggered tensions until the final moments of the negotiation. Hamas has tried to include some on the list high-ranking military leaderspreviously excluded from Israel due to their convictions for terrorist acts, a move that led to an impasse resolved only after intense discussions in Doha, with the direct involvement of US and Egyptian negotiators.
Confirmation of the agreement came directly from the Israeli prime minister’s office Benjamin Netanyahuwhich highlighted the importance of Israel’s goal of ensuring the safe return of all hostages. Following the signing, Netanyahu immediately called a session of the security cabinet to formally ratify the agreement. This step was taken in response to the specific request of the Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrichwhich underlined the need to maintain a hard line against Hamas even after the first phase of the agreement, ensuring control over the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The agreement found broad support, but there was also considerable resistance within the Israeli political landscape. Prominent far-right personalities, such as Itamar Ben Gvir from the Otzma Yehudit party, have threatened to withdraw their support for the government if the agreement is ratified. This internal dissent highlights the complexity of political dynamics in Israel, showing how the path to peace is punctuated by difficulties.
The role of the United States in the negotiations was decisive, with Brett McGurkPresident Biden’s chief advisor on the Middle East, who actively participated in the negotiations.