Israeli forces commenced their withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor in Gaza on Sunday, as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This six-kilometre stretch, previously a military zone, has been crucial since the ceasefire began last month, facilitating the movement of Palestinians returning to northern Gaza. The ceasefire, which is currently in its first phase, has allowed Hamas to release some Israeli hostages in exchange for pauses in fighting and humanitarian aid, but discussions regarding the truce’s extension remain unresolved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending a low-level delegation to Qatar for negotiations, while concurrently gathering key ministers to assess the situation. The fragile nature of the ceasefire is underscored by ongoing violence in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations continue to escalate, resulting in casualties—including the recent fatal shooting of a pregnant Palestinian woman.
Despite the ceasefire, profound mistrust persists between both parties, raising doubts about future agreements. Further complicating matters are pressures on Netanyahu from his political allies to re-engage militarily against Hamas, as well as a controversial proposal from former US President Donald Trump regarding the status of Gaza, which has been met with widespread rejection by Palestinian authorities and the broader Arab world.