What's happened
Hamas and Israel are preparing for the second phase of a US-backed ceasefire, focusing on disarmament, troop withdrawal, and Gaza reconstruction. Mediation continues, with international forces expected early next year. Key issues include Hamas's weapons storage and Israeli troop pullback, amid ongoing violence and negotiations.
What's behind the headline?
The current negotiations reveal a complex balance of power and interests. Hamas’s insistence on storing weapons rather than disarming signals a strategic stance rooted in resistance ideology, complicating US and Israeli efforts. The US’s plan to deploy an international stabilization force aims to prevent escalation but faces resistance from countries wary of conflict with Hamas or Turkey’s exclusion due to Israeli vetoes. Netanyahu’s emphasis on demilitarization and deradicalization underscores Israel’s focus on security, but his refusal to end his political career over the ICC warrants highlights ongoing tensions. The US’s approach, led by Trump’s plan, seeks to impose a long-term solution, but the resistance from Hamas and regional actors suggests the second phase will be more protracted and contentious. The potential for a long-term truce hinges on Hamas’s willingness to accept international oversight and disarmament, which remains uncertain. The broader geopolitical implications include regional stability and the future of US influence in the Middle East, with Turkey’s interest in joining the stabilization force adding another layer of complexity.
What the papers say
The articles from Al Jazeera and The Times of Israel provide contrasting perspectives on the ongoing negotiations. Al Jazeera emphasizes Hamas’s strategic stance, highlighting its reluctance to fully disarm and its desire for guarantees against military escalation, with Khaled Mashaal asserting that disarmament equates to 'stripping away his very soul.' Conversely, The Times of Israel underscores Israel’s firm stance on disarmament and demilitarization, with Netanyahu framing the second phase as 'more difficult' and emphasizing the importance of returning the last hostage. Both sources agree on the complexity of the process but differ in tone: Al Jazeera presents Hamas as pragmatic and resistant, while The Times of Israel portrays Israel as resolute and cautious about security. The US’s role as mediator and the regional dynamics, including Turkey’s interest and Israeli vetoes, are central themes in both narratives, illustrating the delicate balance of power and the high stakes involved.
How we got here
The ceasefire began in October 2025, halting a two-year Israeli offensive in Gaza following Hamas's attack on southern Israel in October 2023. The initial phase involved prisoner exchanges and limited Israeli troop withdrawals. The broader goal is to establish a sustainable peace, disarm Hamas, and rebuild Gaza, with US-led international oversight and a proposed stabilization force. Tensions persist over Israeli violations and Hamas's resistance to disarmament.
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More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.