Peace not ‘guaranteed’ in Gaza after hostage release and ceasefire deal: fmr. Mideast negotiator

Hostage Release & Reactions - Israelis have been hoping and praying for this moment of hostage release for the last two years, viewing it as closure to the war [2] - Unlike previous hostage releases, Hamas allowed the released hostages to make video calls to their families [5] - Approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were also released as part of the deal, returning to a destroyed Gaza Strip [6][7] - The return of the remains of deceased hostages is a point of contention, with Israel giving Hamas until Thursday at noon to hand over all remains [10][11] Potential for Lasting Peace & Challenges - World leaders express confidence and relief, acknowledging the power of the American presidency wielded by President Trump [15][16] - Hurdles to lasting peace include disarming Hamas, removing Hamas from the political process, policing the Gaza Strip, and rebuilding Gaza [20] - Creating a roadmap that could potentially end the war in Gaza is possible, but not guaranteed, requiring heavy lifting from all parties [25] - The hardest part is the day after the peace conference, requiring working groups to deal with international stabilization force, Palestinian governance, demilitarization of Hamas, and humanitarian assistance [28][29] Post-Hamas Leadership & Political Dynamics - Hamas remains the strongest and most coherent political group in Gaza, exercising influence through intimidation, cooperation, and violence [32][33] - Defeating Hamas requires an alternative, empowering a credible and legitimate Palestinian leadership committed to Gaza and turning back Israeli annexationist policies on the West Bank [34] - A technocratic government in Gaza is a possibility, with Israel demanding that no member of Hamas's military wing can take a role in the new entity [41] - The determination of President Trump is crucial for maintaining focus on the peace process, requiring him to mobilize the Turks and Qataris to influence Hamas [37]