Ceasefire & Hostage Release - A US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza has officially gone into effect [1] - Hamas is set to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners [2] Challenges to Long-Term Peace - The current ceasefire is just the "first inning" with much more work needed to achieve lasting peace [5] - There is a lack of hope for a better future on both sides, with Israelis and Palestinians questioning each other's desire for peace [7][10][11] - Key issues remain unresolved, including the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza [5][9][16][17] - The involvement and desire of Gulf states and other Middle Eastern Arab states to bring the conflict to an end is important [8] Political Landscape - Israeli elections are approaching, and the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is likely to win [5][11][12][13] - The composition of the next coalition government in Israel is uncertain [14] - The future governing body for Gaza is unclear, and Palestinians' desires are not being adequately considered [14][15]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House next Monday, his third trip to Washington during Donald Trump's second term. The visit comes just weeks after the US brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran following American air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Since then, attention has returned to Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip as President Trump renews his push for a ceasefire there and for a hostage release deal.Negotiations over Gaza remain stalled with bo ...