The recent Gaza ceasefire has brought a temporary halt to one of the most protracted and violent conflicts in recent years. Earlier this month, Hamas released all 20 Israeli hostages alive to the Red Cross in two stages, marking a key milestone in the truce negotiated under the new ceasefire framework. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s large-scale attack on Israel, lasted nearly two years and left both sides devastated. The agreement, however, remains precarious, with many of its core conditions still in dispute and implementation challenges ahead.
During his visit to Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, describing it as “the best and only plan” capable of ensuring long-term stability. Speaking at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Rubio asserted that there was “no Plan B” and stressed that Israel had fully complied with its obligations under the deal. He noted that Israel’s actions so far have demonstrated adherence to the terms of the ceasefire, while Hamas’s compliance remains uncertain. Rubio added that the United States would not stand in the way if Israel deemed it necessary to respond militarily in the event of renewed threats from Hamas.
The Trump plan, central to the ceasefire, outlines a two-phase approach to ending hostilities. The first phase included the release of hostages and cessation of active conflict. The second phase focuses on the disarmament of Hamas and the broader demilitarisation of Gaza. However, progress on these objectives has been slow. Hamas has resisted Israel’s demands to surrender its weapons, citing ongoing instability and widespread destruction in the territory. The reluctance has cast doubt on the long-term sustainability of the peace agreement, even as both sides publicly commit to the truce.
Rubio emphasised that disarmament would be a gradual and difficult process. He described the demilitarisation of Gaza as a “long-term project” that requires not only political will but also humanitarian rebuilding. The U.S., he said, aims to create conditions that allow Gazans to live without fear, with opportunities for jobs, education, and development, free from the influence of militant control. His remarks reflect a recognition that peace cannot rely solely on military or political arrangements but also depends on rebuilding civil society and restoring normal life in Gaza.
Another delicate issue under the ceasefire agreement involves the exchange of bodies. Israel and Hamas have initiated negotiations over the return of deceased hostages and Palestinian militants. Under the deal, Israel will return 360 Palestinian bodies in exchange for the remains of Israeli captives killed during the conflict. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the process, while Hamas claims that locating remains in the ruins of Gaza is time-intensive and complicated by the extent of destruction.
The ceasefire, though historic in halting active warfare, stands on fragile ground. The unresolved questions of governance in post-war Gaza, the future of Hamas’s political and military structure, and the broader regional implications of Trump’s 20-point peace plan continue to shape diplomatic debates. While the release of hostages and cessation of violence are immediate signs of progress, the long-term peace envisioned by Washington and Tel Aviv will depend on whether both sides can sustain cooperation and build mutual trust — something that remains uncertain amid the deep scars of a brutal conflict.
