As Israel and Hamas lay down their arms after more than two years of war, the US is stepping in to oversee the next phase of the deal while a peacekeeping force is formed.
ISRAEL-HAMAS CITY TEST WORKS, IDF BEGINS WITHDRAWAL IN GAZA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump as Israel’s “greatest friend” in a speech in the Knesset. (Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters)
Once the US committed to providing heavy coordination but no groundwork in Gaza, the negotiators left to inform the Israelis and Hamas. Things moved quickly from there, and as one well-placed source said, “They saw an opportunity, moved very quickly and seized it.” However, speed comes with risks, as certain questions remained unanswered, such as who would be in the stabilization force in Gaza? Or, what is the mechanism to ensure Hamas disarms?
While the center is expected to be operational in the coming days, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar have yet to decide whether their representatives will be based there.
Palestinians walk near tents and the rubble of destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City on October 15, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
TRUMP AUTHORIZED WITKOFF VISITS IDF BASE IN NORTHERN GAZA As peace deal progresses, thousands of people return home
Neither Jordan nor Egypt have said they would be willing to send troops to stabilize Gaza, and it appears that countries outside the region could address the situation, but nothing has been finalized yet. Furthermore, outside countries willing to send troops would likely need a UN Security Council mandate as well as approval from their own governments, giving Hamas more time to rebuild and fill the power vacuum.
Despite heavy losses in the war and international threats, Hamas fighters have shown signs that they are unwilling to withdraw. Since the start of the ceasefire, videos of extrajudicial killings by Hamas in public squares began circulating online.
“We strongly urge Hamas to immediately suspend the violence and shooting of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza – both in Hamas-occupied parts of Gaza and in the parts of Gaza secured by the IDF behind the Yellow Line,” Cooper said in a statement on Wednesday. “This is a historic opportunity for peace. Hamas must seize it by withdrawing completely, strictly adhering to President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, and disarming without delay.”
Red Cross vehicles arrive to receive from Hamas terrorists the bodies of deceased hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023, attack as part of a ceasefire in Gaza City on October 14, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
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The first phase of the deal remains ongoing as Hamas has failed to deliver all 28 bodies of deceased hostages, making it less clear when the second phase will begin. Israel has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to obtain all the bodies of the deceased hostages so that they can be buried properly.
On Monday, Israel received the bodies of four deceased hostages, later identified as Yossi Sharabi, Binpin Joshi, Guy Iluz and Daniel Peretz. Israel received four more bodies on Tuesday, three of whom were identified as deceased hostages. Staff Sgt. Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, and Eitan Levi. Israel said the fourth body did not match any of the hostages and was in fact a Palestinian.
“Hamas must make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages,” the IDF wrote on X.
