What Are the Main Obstacles to Implementing the Gaza Ceasefire Agreement?
The English section of webangah News Agency, quoting Mehr News Agency, reported that American magazine Foreign Policy examined the key challenges facing the next stage of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza after an initial deal was reached between Israel and Hamas. The report stated that even though the agreement aims to end a two-year war that claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives, current political and security hurdles could disrupt future negotiations and block a lasting resolution.
Disarmament
The report highlighted Hamas’ disarmament as the chief obstacle to progress since the group has not agreed to surrender their weapons, while israel sees disarmament as essential for maintaining any ceasefire framework.
According to Foreign Policy, the plan offers some Hamas fighters “conditional amnesty” if they agree to lay down arms. However, due to ongoing hostilities with Israel and mutual distrust between parties, Hamas refuses to relinquish their weapons.
The report noted claims suggesting Hamas may partially hand over arms but emphasized this would be unacceptable for Israel-which demands complete dismantling of Hamas.
Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza
The Trump plan calls for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza but lacks precise details on border arrangements or timelines for withdrawal.
Hamas insists on a full Israeli military exit as a guarantee against renewed conflict. Simultaneously occurring, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects this option outright. This disagreement remains one of the most contentious issues in upcoming negotiations.
Governance in Gaza
The plan envisions forming a technocratic Palestinian goverment under international supervision and overseen by an international peace council chaired by the U.S.president.
While Hamas has initially agreed to transfer administrative control of Gaza’s governance, it has not fully relinquished its political role-something opposed by Israel and the United States who insist on removing Hamas entirely from future political power in the region.
Foreign Policy stressed that governance remains complex given Netanyahu’s firm opposition both to any role for Palestinian Authority institutions or efforts toward establishing a Palestinian state.
Right-wing backlash against ceasefire
The magazine reported Netanyahu faces strong opposition within his right-wing cabinet. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened coalition collapse-and thus early elections-if he proceeds with implementing this agreement.
Might implementation prove more tough than war?
The article added that while Israel’s opposition temporarily supports Netanyahu pushing thru this deal-to eventually bring him down-the prime minister is under direct pressure from Trump who wants credit for ending violence in Gaza.
Foreign Policy concluded by warning these complex challenges may make executing this accord even more difficult than waging war itself.
