Fragile Peace in Gaza: Ceasefire Holds as Hostage Countdown Begins

GAZA/JERUSALEM – A United States-brokered ceasefire appears to be holding in the Gaza Strip, setting in motion a critical 72-hour countdown for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The truce, which began at noon local time on Friday, saw Israeli military forces pull back from key parts of the enclave, enabling a massive flow of displaced Palestinians to return to their heavily destroyed homes in the north.

US President Donald Trump, the architect of the peace deal, expressed confidence the ceasefire would “hold,” citing that both sides are “all tired of the fighting.”

The Hostage Countdown and Exchange

The crucial 72-hour window for the release of the remaining hostages commenced on Saturday, following Israel’s confirmation that the necessary military withdrawal had been completed.

• Hostages Due Monday: The remaining 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza—20 of whom are believed to be alive—are expected to be released on Monday, according to President Trump.
• Prisoner Release: In exchange, Israel is set to free approximately 250 Palestinians currently serving long prison sentences, along with around 1,700 detainees seized from Gaza over the past two years and held without charge.
• Aid Surge: Hundreds of trucks carrying vital food and medical aid are expected to surge into Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis.

The sight of tens of thousands of Gazans filing on foot along the coastal road toward Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban area, marked a potentially historic breakthrough after two years of brutal conflict that has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian casualties.

Future of Gaza: Peace or Renewed Conflict?

Despite the initial breakthrough, major questions loom over the long-term viability of the peace deal, particularly concerning the post-war governance of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at the potential for a renewed offensive, stating that the next stages of the peace deal demand Hamas disarm and Gaza be demilitarized.

Meanwhile, the governance of Gaza is proving to be a political flashpoint:

• Hamas Rejection: Hamas quickly issued a statement rejecting "foreign guardianship" of Gaza, insisting that the territory’s governance is purely an internal Palestinian matter. This directly challenges the next phase of the Trump plan, which envisages an international body—the "Board of Peace," potentially led by Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair—playing a key administrative role.
• Blair Opposition: A senior Hamas official, Dr. Basem Naim, told Sky News that Palestinians have "very bad memories" of Mr. Blair, emphasizing that "Palestinians have a lot of independent leaders who can do the job."

President Trump is scheduled to head to the Middle East in the coming days and plans to address Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem, underscoring the high stakes of this delicate agreement.