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Ceasefire agreement, Israel seeks to maintain control over Gaza

Ceasefire agreement, Israel seeks to maintain control over Gaza

Hamas and Israel have reached a three-phase ceasefire agreement. President Joe Biden and his successor, Donald Trump, welcomed the agreement. Mr. Trump pledged to use it to continue improving relations between Israel and Arab countries. The latter insist that the final solution is the creation of an independent Palestinian state. However, some analysts say Israel is preparing for a long-term presence in part of Gaza.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas begins with a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces. This would allow Palestinians who fled to the southern part of Gaza to return to their homes in the north.

In the second phase, the army would withdraw after all hostages are released, which requires new negotiations. The goal of the second phase is to end the conflict.

This could take months.

Analysts say attacks are still possible.

"You will see regular Israeli attacks in Gaza, just like they do in the West Bank, which does not require the presence of a large number of forces in the Gaza Strip. All that is needed for attacks is freedom of movement," says military analyst Yonah Bob of the Jerusalem Post newspaper.

The third and final phase covers the period after the conflict ends: the reconstruction of Gaza with a new governing structure.

US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump welcomed the agreement.

Analysts say Mr. Trump's threats last week that "hell awaits" Hamas if a deal was not reached before his inauguration may have played a role.

"The people of Gaza are already in hell, but there is also a sense that Trump may have put pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu. That is why we are moving forward," says Mirette Mabrouk of the Middle East Institute.

Mr. Trump, in a post on the social network 'Truth', said he would use the agreement to expand the Abraham Accords, brokered by Washington, to normalize Arab-Israeli relations. Arab countries continue to insist on the creation of a Palestinian state, or ending the conflict through the so-called two-state solution.

"I don't see this as possible under the Trump administration, and this is not a direct criticism of him or anyone else. The Israelis and Palestinians are a long way from reaching the difficult agreements that are necessary to resolve the conflict with the creation of two states," says Jonathan Ruhe of the Jewish Institute for National Security in America.

Other analysts say Israel is preparing for a long-term presence in part of Gaza.

The 'Netzarim' corridor divides Gaza into northern and southern parts. It has been transformed into a wide, paved road, lined with dozens of military barracks, indicating that Israel will have a long-term military presence in Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say this is not their plan.

"The decision on how long we stay is up to the government. We have said many times, if necessary, we can clear that area within 24 hours," said Israeli army spokesman Nadav Shoshani.

Hamas officials said their organization won the war. Acting Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya said Israel failed to achieve its goals in Gaza.

Some Israeli analysts warn that Hamas remains influential in Gaza and could be strengthened if Israel withdraws completely after releasing all hostages.

"Hamas has not yet been completely defeated militarily and still controls the Gaza Strip. These were the two most important Israeli goals that were set by the government and have not yet been achieved. That is why this deal is not good strategically, but it is good from a moral and national point of view to release the hostages," says Jonathan Concricus, a former Israeli military spokesman.

The military says it wants to create a neutral zone of at least one kilometer along the border to ensure that a Hamas attack on Israel can never happen again./ VOA

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