Gaza peace deal moves forward, but key issues still unresolved

After more than two years of conflict, a breakthrough appears near as Israel’s cabinet approved the first phase of Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, paving the way for a partial Israeli military withdrawal and the release of hostages by Hamas within days. Despite initial opposition from Netanyahu’s far-right allies, the agreement was signed by all parties, setting a ceasefire to begin within 24 hours. While Hamas hailed the deal as a step toward lasting peace, major challenges remain—particularly Hamas’s refusal to disarm and unresolved questions over Gaza’s future governance.