Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for an initial six-week truce, with further negotiations on unresolved issues deferred to a second phase that remains uncertain for both sides.
Starting 16 days into the cease-fire, officials from both parties are expected to negotiate subsequent steps regarding the conclusion of the war, the release of hostages from Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Israeli leaders maintain that they will not cease military operations until Hamas is dismantled. However, recent displays of authority by Hamas militants in Gaza, shown armed and patrolling in trucks, indicate that such a goal may be far from reachable.
At the conclusion of the 42-day truce, Hamas will retain roughly two-thirds of its 98 hostages, many of whom are presumed dead. Simultaneously, Israel will continue its presence in Gaza and hold significant prisoners, including Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian figure.
As negotiations progress, the Israeli government may face difficult decisions regarding its objectives, particularly whether to prioritize the safe return of hostages or the destruction of Hamas, a choice that could impact Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political standing.
Both parties have opted to delay a firm decision on the war's conclusion and Gaza's future, hoping that the truce will strategically benefit them. Shlomo Brom, a retired Israeli general, noted that Hamas aims to leverage this new dynamic to avoid a return to hostilities.
The acceptance of a temporary cease-fire has caused significant divisions within Netanyahu's coalition. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister, resigned and withdrew his party from the coalition in protest.
The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, has also threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu does not resume military actions after the truce ends, potentially jeopardizing the stability of Netanyahu’s government.
During a televised address, Netanyahu emphasized the temporary nature of the cease-fire and asserted Israel's right to resume military operations if second-stage negotiations fail, mentioning support from President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The tenuous nature of the truce was highlighted when Hamas delayed delivering a list of hostages to be released, causing a nearly three-hour postponement. Analysts foresee similar challenges in the coming weeks as both sides assert their positions.
Families of the hostages in Gaza have urged the Israeli government to ensure the complete implementation of the deal, emphasizing the need for all phases to be fulfilled. Noa Argamani, a released hostage, expressed her heartbreak over the ongoing captivity of her boyfriend and stressed the importance of fully realizing the terms of the agreement.