The Israeli government has ratified the initial phase of a comprehensive peace agreement broken by the United States, marking a pivotal moment after two years of conflict. The approval sets in motion the Israeli Defence Force’s (IDF) withdrawal to an agreed-upon line inside Gaza.
This is a key component of the first phase of the plan. Following this, all remaining hostages held by Hamas will be released. Israel will also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The news has been met with both hope and considerable caution.
The agreement follows intense diplomatic efforts involving the United States. US President Donald Trump played a central role in the negotiations. The plan aims to bring an end to the war that began in October 2023. While the ceasefire is technically in effect, reports of continued air strikes have emerged. This highlights the fragility of the agreement’s early hours.
Details of the military pullback
The first phase of the deal outlines a clear, time-sensitive process for the withdrawal. The IDF has a 24-hour window to pull back. They must move to a pre-determined line within the territory, leaving them in control of about 53% of the Gaza Strip. This specific geographical repositioning is critical for Hamas. It views the withdrawal as a necessary condition for the hostage exchange.
Following this repositioning, Hamas has a 72-hour window for the release of all hostages. This includes both living and deceased individuals. US officials expect the exchange to happen by Monday or Tuesday.
Humanitarian aid is also set to surge into the besieged enclave, bringing essential relief for Gaza’s displaced population. The United States will deploy troops to monitor the plan’s implementation. They will work from a coordination centre in Israel alongside forces from Egypt and Qatar.
Significant challenges remain for the ceasefire. Hamas has stated it requires a formal declaration that the war is over. The details of future phases are still to be negotiated. These include Hamas’s disarmament and Gaza’s long-term governance. For now, the focus is on the successful withdrawal and the immediate halt to the fighting. This first phase is seen as a critical test for achieving a lasting peace in the region.
