Trump rejoices
The US president, who will officially take office in five days, has assured that the US will do everything to ensure that the Strip does not return to being “a safe haven for terrorists”. “With this agreement in place, my national security team, through the efforts of the special envoy in Medium East Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists,” he wrote. “We will continue to promote peace through strength throughout the region, as we build on the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the historic Abraham Accords. This is just the beginning of great things to come for America and, indeed, the world!”.
The Israeli position was further clarified by Isaac Herzogthe Israeli president, who announced an upcoming meeting with Mirjana Spoljarichead of the International Committee of the Red Cross, to discuss the details of the release.
Meanwhile, Hamas is dealing with the rise of Mohammad Sinwarbrother of the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwaras a central figure in the negotiations. Despite various obstacles encountered, including disagreements over implementation and boycott attempts by some factions, as reported by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, its green light to the terms of the agreement marked a definitive turning point in the negotiations.
What the agreement provides
First, the White House made it known that the cease-fire of 42 days will come into effect immediately.
The initial phase will take place over six weeks. On the one hand, Israel will have to implement a gradual withdrawal of the armed forces from the center of Gaza to allow the displaced to return to the north of the Strip. Every day, 600 humanitarian trucks will be allowed to enter, including 300 in the North and 50 containing fuel. In exchange, Hamas will release in the first six weeks 33 hostages including women, both soldiers and civilians, children and over 50s: first women and under 19s, then men over 50s. At least 3 hostages will be released every week, until the end of the 42 days of truce. On the Israeli front, however, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released for every civilian hostage and 50 prisoners for every soldier. In essence we are talking about a range between 990 and 1650 Palestinians who will be released from Israeli prisons.
The second phase instead it is a little smokier. In fact, each negotiation will begin on the 16th day of the first phase and it is hoped that it will lead to the release of all hostages, including soldiers, and a permanent ceasefire. In exchange, Hamas is expected to obtain a permanent ceasefire and the “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza.
For the third phaseInstead, the return of the deceased hostages is expected and the start of the reconstruction of Gaza in three to five years supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the UN. Doubts remain about who will govern the Strip even if yesterday Blinken hypothesized the involvement of the PA together with the United Nations.
The agreement will be guaranteed by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
According to the spokesperson for NetanyahuHowever, Israel would not give up “one millimeter of Israeli control on the Philadelphia axis.”
The political reactions
The reaction in Israel the pact was varied, with the Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich who expressed doubts, reflecting the complex range of opinions within the Israeli government with the right not intending to end hostilities with Hamas.
On the Palestinian front, thePalestinian National Authority (ANP) expressed concerns regarding the future control of the Gaza Strip. Mohammad Mustafa, a member of the PA, declared any management of Gaza that ignores the legitimate Palestinian leadership unacceptable, rejecting the idea of a separation or transitional administration between Gaza and the West Bank.