The second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza entails Hamas disarming after the return of all the remaining hostages; currently, one remains. The Times of Israel reports that a senior official of the terror group has said that it’s ready to discuss “freezing or storing” its arsenal. It’s not clear whether this would meet Israel’s full disarmament ceasefire requirement. A long-term truce of five to ten years for discussions was also suggested.
The new phase aims to lay out a future for war-battered Gaza and promises to be even more difficult — including steps such as the deployment of a multinational security force, the formation of a technocratic Palestinian governing committee in Gaza, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the disarmament of Hamas. An international board, led by US President Donald Trump, is to oversee the implementation of the deal and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Israel has demanded Hamas’s disarmament, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to accomplish “the hard way” if the terror group refuses to give up its weapons. Naim said Hamas retains its “right to resist,” but claimed that the group is ready to lay down its arms as part of a process aimed at leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Since the ceasefire, there have been several confrontations resulting in weapon fire and casualties in some cases between the IDF and Hamas operatives in Gaza. An incident in October that killed three IDF soldiers was a blatant violation of the ceasefire, but Hamas maintains that they did not have contact with the terrorists in question. Meanwhile, one last deceased hostage, Ran Gvili, is still being searched for.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said that soldiers are on high alert and are prepared for any scenario. However, there is a mutual desire to lessen further escalations and advance to phase two of the ceasefire. The Fellowship and our generous supporters pray that Gvili is finally returned home and true healing towards shalom, peace, can begin.
