'This is not peace, this is the absence of war': Ret. 4-star General on Israel-Hamas deal

Ceasefire & Hostage Release - A 24-hour immediate ceasefire is vital to stop fighting, artillery, air attacks, and missile attacks [1] - Securing the release of all hostages, both alive and deceased, within 72 hours is crucial [2] - The return of hostages could diminish the political will for the Netanyahu government to continue fighting [8] Humanitarian Crisis & Rebuilding - 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are in abject misery, necessitating massive humanitarian aid [3][17] - Rebuilding the Palestinian territories poses significant questions regarding funding and governance [5] - Flooding the zone with humanitarian aid and ending the constant bombardment of occupied areas with civilian populations are essential [9] Political & Governance Challenges - Hamas has been nearly obliterated, but the question remains who would replace them if they exit [3][11] - The possibility of Hamas disarming and leaving the zone seems remote in the near term [3][16] - An election is coming up in Israel, potentially influencing Prime Minister Netanyahu's actions [12] - The Netanyahu administration's resistance to an independent Palestinian state remains a key issue [5] Peacekeeping Force & Long-Term Solutions - The creation of a neutral peacekeeping force in Gaza, and potentially the West Bank, is a possible but difficult solution [4][16] - Achieving an enduring ceasefire is possible, but it is not peace; it is merely the absence of war [3][10] - The likelihood of Hamas disarming and finding a technocratic government seems pretty remote in the near term [16]