The initial phase of the U.S.-brokered peace plan for Gaza has been implemented. The deal, mediated by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, has three phases. The first relates to immediate ceasefire and humanitarian actions, the second to demilitarization and security and the final phase to governance and reconstruction. While the first phase has been implemented and a ceasefire is in place, significant and more challenging issues remain unresolved, and progress on the subsequent phases is uncertain.

Thus, the prospects for a lasting peace in Gaza face significant obstacles. The achievements in Phase One are quite important as a ceasefire is in effect. Any pause in hostilities is undeniably a good thing. The ceasefire began on 10 October, following the agreement’s approval by the Israeli cabinet. Hamas released the remaining 20 live Israeli hostages on October 13, and Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Humanitarian aid has begun flowing into Gaza, though it is still considered insufficient to meet the vast needs of the population. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have withdrawn to agreed-upon lines, pulling back from populated areas like Gaza City and Khan Younis. These are positive developments.

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However, Israel and Hamas continue to have fundamental disagreements, and the agreement’s fragility is evident in several key areas. A major sticking point is the return of the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages. President Trump’s plan stated that ‘within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.’ Hamas failed to return all 28 bodies within the 72-hour timeline required by the deal. The remains of at least 19 hostages are still unaccounted for. Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the return of these remains. However, Hamas has stated that returning all the bodies is difficult and time-consuming as some bodies are buried in tunnels destroyed by Israeli forces or under the rubble of bombed buildings. It has requested specialized equipment to assist in locating and retrieving the bodies but accuses Israel of blocking its entry into Gaza.

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Hamas also asserts that some remains are in areas now controlled by Israeli troops. Hamas has reportedly assured the US through mediators that it is working to return the bodies. The slow pace has provoked anger in Israel and resulted in the reduction of aid flow. Israel has restricted aid deliveries into Gaza, citing Hamas’s failure to return all remains. Reports indicate that far fewer than the 600 trucks per day stipulated in the agreement have been allowed in, and the humanitarian crisis is worsening as winter approaches. Israel has cited delays in the recovery of hostage remains as a reason for reducing the flow to about 300 trucks daily. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remains sealed, forcing nearly all aid to enter via Israeli-controlled crossings like Kerem Shalom, subject to inspection delays and limits. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a major........

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