What's happened
Israel announced a ceasefire with Hamas after cabinet approval of Trump's plan, leading to troop withdrawals and heavy shelling reports. Palestinians began moving north amid ongoing violence, with questions remaining about disarmament and governance in Gaza. The ceasefire marks a significant step in ending two years of conflict.
What's behind the headline?
The ceasefire signals a pivotal moment, but many critical questions remain unresolved. The Israeli military's withdrawal to new positions and reports of ongoing shelling suggest a fragile peace. The plan's success hinges on Hamas disarming and Gaza establishing a sustainable governance structure, which are yet to be clarified. The international community's involvement, including US troop deployment, indicates a broader effort to stabilize the region. However, the underlying issues—disarmament, governance, and security guarantees—are likely to challenge the durability of this ceasefire. The timing suggests a strategic move by Israel and the US to de-escalate tensions, but the risk of renewed violence persists if key issues are not addressed.
What the papers say
The New Arab, The Independent, South China Morning Post all report on the Israeli cabinet's approval of Trump's ceasefire plan and the subsequent military actions. The New Arab emphasizes the military's withdrawal and the movement of civilians, while The Independent highlights the ongoing shelling and displacement. The South China Morning Post provides a broader geopolitical context, noting the US troop deployment and the significance of the ceasefire in stabilizing the region. Despite slight differences in focus, all sources agree on the importance of this development, though questions about the plan's implementation remain.
How we got here
The conflict in Gaza has persisted for over two years, involving Israeli military operations and Palestinian resistance. Recent efforts to broker peace have centered around US-led initiatives, including President Trump's ceasefire plan, which aims to release hostages and prisoners, and establish a framework for Gaza's future governance. The announcement follows intense shelling and displacement, with both sides signaling a move toward de-escalation.
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Common question
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Why is Ukraine targeting Russian energy infrastructure now?
Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian energy facilities amid ongoing conflict, aiming to weaken Russia's war economy and disrupt supplies ahead of winter. This escalation raises questions about the strategic goals behind these strikes and how they impact the broader conflict. Below, we explore the reasons behind Ukraine's recent actions and what they mean for the future of the war.
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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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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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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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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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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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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.