Israel has agreed to a 42-day truce with Hamas in exchange for the release of 33 Israeli hostages, but talks on phase two have stalled due to disagreement over disarmament and governance. The truce, signed by former US President Joe Biden, stipulates that it can continue as long as negotiations are ongoing.
The agreement’s final phase will involve the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of all living hostages held by Hamas. However, talks about what comes next have only just begun, with Netanyahu refusing to commit to a framework that declares the war over.
Netanyahu has instead focused on sending aid into Gaza and visiting US President Donald Trump in Washington, rather than meeting with his own negotiating team. This lack of engagement has raised concerns among officials, who hope to extend phase one indefinitely to negotiate phase two.
Hamas, however, remains committed to the ceasefire, but has yet to address its stance on disarmament. The group’s leaders have consistently refused to engage on the question, saying they will only step aside from governing Gaza if it is an internal Palestinian matter.
Netanyahu still refuses to outline his vision for Gaza’s post-war future, instead supporting Trump’s plan for a Gulf State-like settlement, where Palestinians would be forcibly relocated and Jewish settlements reinstated. This plan has been met with criticism, with Arab leaders scrambling to come up with their own vision for rebuilding Gaza.
Despite this, there is no immediate desire for war in Gaza. Netanyahu may seek to release more hostages while keeping the military massed on Gaza’s borders. However, Hamas is unlikely to agree to give up its most important negotiating asset – hostages – without a commitment to end the war.
If talks fail, Hamas’ leaders inside Gaza have warned that they will not hesitate taking revenge on the remaining hostages if fighting resumes. The truce’s future remains uncertain, with officials hoping for continued negotiations and a peaceful resolution.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/28/middleeast/israel-gaza-truce-first-phase-intl/index.html