A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was officially backed this week during a high-level summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, marking the most concrete diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict reignited. The summit produced a framework for ending hostilities and outlined the first phase of implementation, including hostage exchanges and humanitarian access. Yet, the success of the deal now depends on political follow-through and international oversight to manage unresolved long-term issues of the conflict.
Terms of the Agreement
The agreement outlines the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees by Israel in exchange for the return of 20 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 28 others held by Hamas. The arrangement also includes a limited withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an increase in humanitarian access to the territory.
The terms were first approved by Israel’s cabinet on October 9 and later endorsed at the summit. A joint statement, published by Al Jazeera, confirmed that Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States will form a coordination group to oversee the delivery of aid and monitor both sides’ compliance with the deal.
Unresolved Issues and Second Phase
The agreement does not cover all contested areas. A second phase, not yet scheduled, is expected to address broader issues such as the future governance of Gaza, the status of Hamas’s military infrastructure, and the presence of Israeli forces. As reported by the Financial Times, these points remain open and subject to further negotiation.
A Hamas spokesperson told the New York Post that the group has not agreed to disarm or to fully transfer control of Gaza, but may be open to administrative cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. The Atlantic Council has noted that these positions indicate further discussion will be needed before a final resolution can be reached.
Conditions for Continued Progress
Several Israeli families of hostages have publicly stated that the ceasefire agreement must include the return of all remains held by Hamas. They said this condition is essential to moving forward with any subsequent phase.
The agreement provides for a multinational task force to monitor compliance and mediate disputes. No enforcement mechanism beyond diplomatic coordination has been outlined so far.
International and Domestic Reactions
The United Nations Secretary-General welcomed the summit’s outcome and described it as a potential entry point to renewed diplomatic efforts, according to Reuters. However, neither the summit nor the agreement addressed the issue of Palestinian statehood directly.
Domestically, the deal has drawn varied reactions within Israel’s political system. The Atlantic Council has reported that some members of Israel’s governing coalition have voiced concerns over the scale of prisoner releases and the timeline for military withdrawal.
In Gaza, there has been no formal announcement by Hamas beyond its initial confirmation of the ceasefire terms. Media access remains limited, and detailed local responses have not been independently verified.
Next Steps
As of mid-October, the first phase of the agreement is in effect, with early reports confirming that humanitarian convoys have entered Gaza. The coordination group is expected to release regular updates, though no timeline has been given for the second phase.
Summit organizers, including Egypt and the United States, have stated that additional meetings may be held in the coming weeks to assess compliance and address the unresolved elements of the framework.
