What is the next step in the Gaza peace plan after the release of the Israeli hostages and the release of the Palestinian prisoners?

the next The phase of the peace plan in Gaza President Trump’s mediation progressed significantly on Monday as Hamas released all prisoners 20 Israeli hostages alive In exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and with the start of more aid flowing into the Palestinian territories after two years of war.

The steps are crucial parts of President Trump’s 20-point peace planThey came three days later cease-fire The decision took effect in Gaza and Israeli forces withdrew to a previously determined line.

World leaders, incl Mr. TrumpHe met in Egypt on Monday for a summit on the future of Gaza and the greater Middle East.

But the situation remains fragile, and big questions about what comes next still need to be answered.

Negotiations on next steps

Israel and Hamas do not trust each other very much, and it took a number of failed indirect negotiations in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to reach a truce, with Egypt and Qatar playing the role of mediators.

The initial stages of the agreement called for: the release of the last hostages held by Hamas, alive and dead; Release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza; A partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the main cities in Gaza.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister said on Monday that it is important for Israel and Hamas to fully implement the first phase of the agreement so that the two parties can begin negotiations on the second phase. As of Monday evening, all living hostages had returned to Israel, but the remains of many dead prisoners remained in Gaza.

Subsequent phases of the plan will have to address thorny issues such as post-war Gaza governance, Israel’s demand to disarm Hamas, which the group has rejected, and Palestinian demands for statehood, which the current Israeli government has rejected.

Negotiations on these issues may collapse, and Israel has hinted that it may resume military operations if its demands are not met.

President Trump’s plan to end the war also stipulates that regional and international partners will work to develop the core of a new Palestinian security force.

Reconstruction will be another major challenge. The World Bank and Egypt’s proposed post-war plan estimate that at least $53 billion will be needed to rebuild the shattered Palestinian territories. Egypt plans to host a reconstruction conference in the future.

Will Hamas disarm?

Among the most difficult issues is Israel’s insistence on completely disarming Hamas after it became weak. Hamas refuses to do so and wants to ensure that Israel withdraws its forces completely from Gaza.

So far, the Israeli army has withdrawn from Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Yunis and other areas, but it still controls about 53% of the Strip, according to Israeli officials. Forces are still deployed in most parts of the southern city of Rafah, the northernmost towns of Gaza, and in a large sector along the Gaza border with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel is “tightening the noose on Hamas from all sides,” and pledged to make Gaza demilitarized after the Israeli government approved the peace plan, which it did hours later.

Addressing reporters, Netanyahu said, “Hamas will disarm and Gaza will be demilitarized. If this can be achieved the easy way, that is better, and if not, it will be achieved the hard way.”

Who will rule Gaza?

Israel and Hamas did not agree on governance in Gaza after the war.

Under the US plan, an international body is supposed to govern the Palestinian territories, supervising Palestinian technocrats who manage day-to-day affairs. Hamas and other factions will have no role in governing Gaza.

The plan envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority, led by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas — something Netanyahu has long opposed. But it requires the authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, to first undergo a comprehensive reform program, and does not provide any timetable for this process.

Hamas said that the Gaza government should be formed among the Palestinians.

The agreement also recognizes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as “the aspiration of the Palestinian people,” but it is unclear if and when discussions on statehood could be held, and Israel’s Netanyahu has repeatedly said he will not allow the creation of a Palestinian state.

An international security force

The plan calls for the formation of an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police trained by Egypt and Jordan. It says that Israeli forces will leave additional areas as those forces deploy.

Under the plan, the force will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, alongside newly trained Palestinian police forces.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati said that the international force needs a resolution from the UN Security Council that supports its deployment and authorization as a peacekeeping force.

There are currently about 200 American soldiers in Israel to monitor the ceasefire and the early stages of the peace plan. They were expected to undertake this work in collaboration with partner countries, NGOs and private sector actors.