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Hamas and Israel agreed on October 8 to the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Gaza Strip. The first phase will not be implemented until the Israeli cabinet approves it. The first phase stipulates that Israeli forces will immediately cease military operations in the Gaza Strip and withdraw to an agreed-upon line within 24 hours after the cabinet approves the plan. Israeli forces will retain control of approximately 53 percent of the Gaza Strip during the first phase. Hamas will release all 20 living hostages within 72 hours after Israel completes its withdrawal. Hamas will also release all deceased hostages, and Israel will release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners within an unspecified timeframe. At least 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid will enter the Gaza Strip each day during the first phase. Both Israel and Hamas have reportedly begun initial preparations to implement the ceasefire agreement. Israeli Army Radio reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has halted offensive operations in the Gaza Strip and begun preparing to withdraw its forces. Hamas has reportedly started to transfer hostages to locations where medical care is available in preparation for their release. The Israeli government has convened to vote on the agreement, but has not made an official decision at the time of this writing. Israeli media reported that the Israeli cabinet is expected to approve the deal.
The Hamas-Israel ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is a framework ceasefire agreement and not a comprehensive agreement to end the war. Hamas and Israel ended negotiations on Trump’s plan after both parties agreed to the first phase, and will not resume negotiations on outstanding issues until the first phase is implemented. Hamas and Israeli officials have not discussed key outstanding aspects of the US plan, including governance over the Gaza Strip and Hamas’ disarmament. Western and Arab officials met in Paris on October 9 to discuss these issues. Hamas and Israeli officials did not participate in the talks in Paris.
It remains unclear if the Hamas-Israel ceasefire will impact how Hamas’ partners in the Axis of Resistance engage with Israel. The Houthis have justified their missile and drone campaign against Israel and international shipping as a response to Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip. Houthi Political Bureau member Mohammad al Bukhaiti stated on October 6 that international mediators should not focus on disarming Hamas “because our weapon is Hamas’ weapon, and our theater of operations is Hamas’ theater of operations,” which suggests that the Houthis will continue to support Hamas even if Hamas is disarmed. The Houthis have continued to attack Israel since Hamas agreed to the ceasefire on October 3. It is unclear if the Houthis would halt such attacks if the Hamas-Israel ceasefire holds. The Houthis would retain the ability to resume attacks against Israel or international shipping at any time and for any reason in the future, even if they suspended attacks due to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
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