Post by : Rameen Ariff

United States President Donald Trump will be given a hero’s welcome in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday as a fragile Gaza ceasefire continues into its fourth day. The truce, which was brokered through U.S.-led mediation, has raised hopes for peace as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners prepare to return home after two years of conflict.

The Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023, after a major Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, has left behind massive destruction and loss. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have since claimed the lives of more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump declared, “The war is over,” as he departed from Washington to Israel. When asked about the future of the region, he expressed optimism, saying, “I think it’s going to normalize.”

Trump’s Peace Plan and Ceasefire Progress

The United States, along with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, played a key role in mediating what has been described as the first phase agreement between Israel and Hamas. The truce includes a hostage-prisoner exchange, humanitarian aid deliveries, and partial Israeli troop withdrawals from key areas in Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis.

The United Nations confirmed that humanitarian aid has begun entering Gaza, including cooking gas and expanded food and medical supplies — the first since March. Despite the positive steps, experts say a lasting peace remains uncertain.

Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace

Further progress in Trump’s 20-point peace plan is expected to be discussed at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where more than 20 world leaders will gather on Monday. The summit, co-chaired by President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, aims to build momentum toward permanent peace in the Middle East.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to attend the summit, while Israeli officials will not be present. According to Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian, the first group of 20 surviving hostages will be released on Monday, followed by the return of the 28 deceased hostages’ bodies.

In exchange, Israel will release 1,700 Palestinian detainees, including 22 minors and the bodies of 360 militants, once the Israeli hostages are safely returned.

Scenes of Destruction in Gaza

Palestinians returning to northern Gaza have described unimaginable devastation after two years of bombardment. “We are joyful to return but bitter about the destruction,” said Rami Mohammad-Ali, a resident of Gaza City, as he walked 15 kilometers from Deir Al Balah.

Israelis Applaud Trump, Criticize Netanyahu

At Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, large crowds cheered for Trump’s peace efforts while booing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of prolonging the war for political survival. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Israel has strongly denied.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, in his invitation letter to Trump, called him “the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish nation in modern history.” Trump will become the fourth U.S. president to address Israel’s parliament after Jimmy Carter (1979), Bill Clinton (1994), and George W. Bush (2008).

Netanyahu, in a televised speech on Sunday, said, “Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path — a path of building, healing, and uniting hearts.”

Tensions Over Prisoner Release

Tensions remain high as negotiations continue over the final list of Palestinian prisoners to be released. Sources close to Hamas claimed that Israel backtracked on earlier agreements that included senior militant leaders. The Israeli Justice Ministry released a list of 250 Palestinians convicted of serious crimes who are set to be freed, excluding top figures like Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat — key demands from Hamas.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that once all hostages are safely returned, the military will resume its mission to destroy Hamas’s underground tunnel network in Gaza.

Uncertain Road Ahead

Under the next phase of Trump’s peace plan, an international “Board of Peace”, led by Trump and joined by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, will oversee Gaza’s post-war administration. However, questions remain about how Gaza will be governed and the future of Hamas, which has rejected Israel’s demands to disarm.

Despite the fragile calm, the region faces immense challenges. Analysts like Akram Attallah argue that Trump’s plan heavily favors Israel, allowing it to dictate terms and shift blame if the truce fails.

As the world watches closely, the coming days will determine whether this fragile peace marks a true end to years of conflict or just another brief pause in the long struggle between Israel and Hamas.

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