What's happened
High-level meetings between US, Qatar, and Israel focus on implementing the Gaza ceasefire. Discussions include troop withdrawals, Hamas disarmament, and deploying an international stabilisation force. Key issues remain unresolved, with ongoing tensions and violations threatening the fragile truce, now nearly two months old.
What's behind the headline?
The current diplomatic efforts reveal a complex balancing act. While Qatar, Egypt, and the US push for a sustainable peace, disagreements over Hamas disarmament and the role of international forces threaten to stall progress. The insistence by some regional actors that Gaza's reconstruction not be contingent on Israeli funding underscores the geopolitical tensions. The US's plan for a UN-mandated international force, led by President Trump, faces skepticism from Israel and regional partners, highlighting the fragile consensus. The ongoing Israeli military violations and Hamas's resistance to disarmament suggest that the second phase will be difficult to implement fully. The focus on establishing governance and security mechanisms indicates that the region remains at a critical juncture, with the potential for renewed conflict if negotiations falter. The next few weeks will be decisive in determining whether the ceasefire can evolve into a lasting peace or revert to violence.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that the recent high-level meetings, hosted by US envoy Steve Witkoff, involved Mossad chief David Barnea and a senior Qatari official, focusing on the implementation of the Gaza peace agreement. The Times of Israel highlights Netanyahu's expectation of the next phase beginning soon, with discussions on disarmament and governance. Al Jazeera emphasizes that regional leaders, including Turkey and Egypt, see the current pause as fragile, warning that without full Israeli troop withdrawal and stability, the ceasefire remains precarious. The NY Post notes that Hamas still holds the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili, complicating progress, and that the international community is working to prevent Israeli vetoes on reconstruction efforts. Overall, the sources depict a tense diplomatic landscape, with progress hampered by disagreements over disarmament, governance, and the role of international forces, amid ongoing Israeli military actions and regional concerns.
How we got here
The Gaza ceasefire was brokered by the US, UN, and regional powers in early October, ending two years of conflict. The first phase involved hostages exchange and Israeli troop withdrawal to a 'yellow line.' The second phase aims for full Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and the deployment of an international stabilisation force, but disagreements over these issues remain.
Go deeper
Common question
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Gaza Conflict and Ceasefire: What's Happening Now?
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How Is the Gaza Conflict Affecting Civilians and What Are the International Responses?
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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.
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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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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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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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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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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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