Israelis and Palestinians greet Gaza deal with joy, relief, and caution

As part of the agreement, Israel announced that a ceasefire and halting of its military operations in Gaza will go into effect Friday, 24 hours after it ratifies the deal. This will be the first suspension of its military offensive since it ended a previous ceasefire in March.

Future, peace uncertain

The agreement has deferred for now the thorniest issues of the Trump plan, such as Hamas’ disarmament, future Gaza governance, the dispatch of an Arab-international security force, reconstruction, and a further withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Contentious talks over the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released – including the status of high-profile detainees like popular Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti – continued late Thursday.

Another major sticking point is the proposed international board that would temporarily oversee Gaza’s governance. At issue is administratively splitting Gaza from the West Bank – both seen as critical to a unified Palestinian state – and putting Gazans’ prospects in the hands of foreigners. Hamas and its rival Palestinian Authority both refuse this.