Netanyahu Awaits Final Details As Israel And Hamas Edge Toward Historic Ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a three-phase ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, raising hopes for the end of 15 months of catastrophic war. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States announced the breakthrough on Wednesday, setting the stage for a temporary halt in one of the most destructive and deadly conflicts in recent memory.

Ceasefire Terms: Hostage Exchanges and Humanitarian Relief
The agreement promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. It also aims to allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes—or what remains of them. Crucially, it will permit the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, where 90% of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced, according to United Nations estimates.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday, contingent upon both sides acting in good faith to uphold the agreement. "The success of this ceasefire depends on cooperation to ensure that this agreement does not collapse," he said from Doha, where weeks of painstaking negotiations were held.

US Leadership and Bipartisan Diplomacy
US President Joe Biden praised the agreement, calling it the result of "dogged and painstaking American diplomacy." Speaking from Washington, he emphasized that the ceasefire’s longevity hinges on Israel and Hamas remaining at the negotiating table for a long-term truce. Remarkably, Biden highlighted a rare instance of bipartisan unity, crediting both his administration and President-elect Donald Trump ’s team for working together to advance the deal.

Trump echoed the sentiment in a post on Truth Social, celebrating: "We Have A Deal For The Hostages In The Middle East. They Will Be Released Shortly. Thank You!"

Netanyahu’s Calculations and Domestic Pressure
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism, noting that the ceasefire agreement was still being finalized.

Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump and Biden for “advancing” the ceasefire agreement but did not directly state whether he has accepted it. He mentioned that he would provide a formal response only “after the final details of the agreement, which are currently being worked on, are completed.”

The final details of the agreement, including the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released, are under review, an Israeli official said anonymously.Netanyahu’s Cabinet must approve any agreement.

Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition depends on hard-line factions that oppose the planned prisoner releases. Opposition leaders, however, have pledged to support the deal, which could destabilise the coalition and potentially trigger early elections if hard-line allies abandon him.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the government to approve the ceasefire, calling for national unity in a televised address. Meanwhile, the families of hostages held in Gaza have become a potent lobbying force, pressing for immediate action. “After 460 days of our family members being held in Hamas tunnels, we are closer than ever to reuniting with our loved ones,” said the Hostage Families Forum.

 Three-Phase Plan
Under the agreement’s first phase, a six-week ceasefire will go into effect. During this time, 33 of nearly 100 hostages will be reunited with their families, though it remains unclear whether all are alive. The phase also includes a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s densely populated areas and the opening of negotiations for a permanent end to the conflict.

Humanitarian aid will surge, with hundreds of trucks expected to enter Gaza daily, delivering food, medical supplies, and rebuilding materials. The territory’s infrastructure, ravaged by relentless airstrikes, faces decades of reconstruction. Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed, and famine looms in northern Gaza, international relief agencies warn.

The second phase, the most challenging, calls for the release of all remaining hostages, including male soldiers, in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces are expected to fully withdraw from Gaza during this phase. The final phase envisions major reconstruction efforts, which would require billions of dollars and cooperation from regional and global stakeholders.

Regional and Global Implications
The ceasefire deal marks a rare moment of diplomatic progress in a conflict that has destabilized the broader Middle East. Hamas, isolated by Israeli military operations and the loss of key leaders, agreed to the ceasefire under immense pressure.

However, questions remain about Gaza’s postwar governance. Israel has proposed working with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas, but such partners may not exist. The United States has advocated for a reformed Palestinian Authority, supported by Arab nations and international donors, to assume control of Gaza. Saudi Arabia’s normalization of ties with Israel, tied to U.S. guarantees and aid, is also on the table.

Netanyahu, who has pledged open-ended security control over Gaza, faces criticism for lacking a clear postwar strategy. Hamas, deeply embedded in Palestinian society, could quickly reconstitute its capabilities if Israeli forces fully withdraw.

Unanswered Questions and Future Prospects
The road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. Netanyahu’s domestic challenges include calls for accountability over security lapses during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 250 hostages. The war’s civilian toll has drawn international condemnation, with over 46,000 Palestinians killed, according to local health officials. Israel maintains that most were militants, but no evidence has been provided.

Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are investigating allegations of war crimes and genocide against both Israeli and Hamas leaders.
As the first phase of the ceasefire begins, the world watches with cautious hope. Whether this truce evolves into lasting peace depends on the willingness of both sides to prioritize human lives over political and military ambitions. For now, families on both sides cling to the promise of reunification and relief.

(Inputs from Associated Press)