Historic Breakthrough: Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire Deal as Hamas Touts US Guarantee – The Full 20-Point Plan Revealed

Historic Breakthrough: Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire Deal as Hamas Touts US Guarantee – The Full 20-Point Plan Revealed.

The Israeli government has formally approved the initial phase of a multi-stage ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, based on the comprehensive 20-point peace framework brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.

This pivotal agreement hinges on a massive hostage-prisoner exchange in its first phase: all remaining Israeli hostages (alive and deceased) will be released by Hamas within 72 hours, in exchange for over 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences.

Crucially, Hamas claims to have secured a US guarantee that the successful completion of this phase constitutes a full end to the war, a point of contention with Israel's more cautious public stance. The broader 20-point plan, which aims to transform Gaza into a "deradicalized, terror-free zone" under transitional governance and oversee its extensive reconstruction, now faces the challenge of reconciling the opposing long-term goals of the two sides to achieve a lasting peace.

Introduction: A Potential Turning Point

After two years of war, Israel has formally approved a Gaza ceasefire deal, while Hamas claims it has secured binding U.S. guarantees to enforce the terms. This agreement is tied to a broader 20-point peace framework proposed by President Donald Trump.

This blog provides:

1. A narrative of what the ceasefire deal currently entails

2. The known 20 points of the Trump-brokered framework

3. Analysis of the risks, reactions, and what to watch going forward.

The Ceasefire Deal: What Has Been Agreed

Background & Context

• The war between Israel and Hamas reignited after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, leading to the capture of hostages and a large-scale Israeli military campaign.

• Multiple ceasefire attempts had failed previously, often collapsing over disagreements on hostages, withdrawals, or guarantees.

• The current deal is built on a U.S.-mediated 20-point plan, with participation from regional mediators (Egypt, Qatar, Turkey).

• Israel ratified its approval, making the ceasefire effective within 24 hours.

The Full 20-Point Framework: A Vision for Post-War Gaza

The initial ceasefire is simply the doorway to the ambitious 20-point peace plan drafted by US President Donald Trump and his envoys, which fundamentally aims to demilitarize Gaza and overhaul its governance and economy. The non-negotiable points agreed upon by Israel that form the basis of the entire framework are outlined below.

The plan is grouped into four main components:

A. Immediate Ceasefire & Humanitarian Actions (Phase One)

1. Deradicalization: Gaza will be established as a deradicalized, terror-free zone that poses no threat to its neighbors.

2. Redevelopment Focus: Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people who have suffered enough.

3. Immediate End to War: If both sides agree, the war will immediately end, and Israeli forces will withdraw to an agreed-upon line to prepare for the hostage release.

4. Suspension of Operations: All military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen.

5. 72-Hour Hostage Return: Within 72 hours of Israel's public acceptance, all hostages (alive and deceased) will be returned.

6. Prisoner Exchange: Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life-sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained since Oct 7, 2023 (including all women and children).

7. Remains Exchange: For every Israeli hostage's remains released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

8. Amnesty and Departure: Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and decommissioning their weapons will be given amnesty. Members who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

9. Full Humanitarian Aid: Upon acceptance, full aid, consistent with prior agreements (including infrastructure, hospitals, bakeries, and debris removal equipment), will be immediately sent into Gaza.

10. Aid Distribution: Aid distribution will proceed without interference through the United Nations, its agencies, the Red Crescent, and other non-associated international institutions.

11. Rafah Crossing: Opening the Rafah crossing will be subject to the mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.

B. Demilitarization and Security Measures (Phase Two and Beyond)

12. Full Withdrawal Contingency: Israeli forces’ complete staged withdrawal is contingent upon the full demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

13. International Stabilization Force (ISF): An ISF will deploy to provide security, train vetted Palestinian police forces, and consult with regional partners like Jordan and Egypt.

14. Disarmament: Hamas’s military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons facilities, must be dismantled completely.

C. Governance and Reconstruction (Long-Term)

15. Transitional Governance: Gaza will be governed under a temporary transitional government by a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee responsible for day-to-day public services.

16. Oversight Body: This committee will be overseen by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” to be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with members including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

17. PA Transition: The Board of Peace will manage funding and framework until the Palestinian Authority (PA) completes its reform program and can securely and effectively take back control.

18. Economic Development Plan: A Trump economic development plan will be created by expert panels to rebuild and energize Gaza, creating jobs and opportunity.

19. Special Economic Zone: A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to attract international investment.

20. No Forced Displacement: No one will be forced to leave Gaza. Residents will be encouraged to stay, and those who leave will be free to return.

Hamas’s Contention: The US Guarante

The core diplomatic tension lies in Hamas's interpretation of the deal. Hamas officials have publicly stated that the main assurance they sought was a US guarantee that Israel would not resume its military campaign once the hostages are released. The public wording used by the brokering parties—referring to the deal as the "first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace"—has been interpreted by Hamas as that commitment to a permanent ceasefire, a point Israel’s more hawkish government elements have not explicitly affirmed, preferring to focus solely on the hostage release. This difference in commitment to the latter stages is the greatest risk to the deal's longevity.

Reactions, Optimism & Caution

Local Reactions

• In Gaza and in Israel, emotions ran high: displaced Gazans ventured back to their homes, and family members of hostages in Israel expressed relief.

• Celebrations were tempered by caution, as many fear the deal could unravel.

Political & International Responses

• Israel’s political leadership faced internal pressure—some opposed the concessions, others backed the humanitarian imperative.

• Regional states (Egypt, Qatar, Turkey) welcome the deal and seek to act as guarantors.

• International actors urged both sides to adhere. The U.N. emphasized that aid access must be unfettered.

Risks & Critiques

• Many of the 20 points lack concrete mechanisms for enforcement; ambiguity may be exploited.

• Hamas may resist full disarmament, especially if it perceives existential risk.

• Israel may interpret violations loosely, leading to resumed strikes or reinforcements.

• Reconstruction, governance, and eventual political status of Gaza remain unresolved.

Challenges to Implementation

1. Maintaining trust — Even minor violations might spiral.

2. Monitoring & verification — The mandate and scope of oversight bodies must be clear.

3. Sequencing disputes — When and how to execute troop withdrawals, prisoner releases, and security transitions.

4. Governance friction — The role of Hamas, the PA, or an external technocratic body could lead to power struggles.

5. Regional enforcement — Reliance on guarantor states adds complexity.

6. Humanitarian bottlenecks — Infrastructure damage, security risks, and logistical constraints can hamper aid.

7. Backlash from internal factions — Hardliners on both sides may challenge concessions.

8. Re-escalation triggers — Border flare-ups, militant attacks, or political provocations may reignite conflict.

What to Watch Next

• Whether all hostages (alive & dead) are released in the promised 72 hours

• Israeli withdrawal compliance and scope

• How the ISF and monitoring structures begin functioning

• The launch and scale of humanitarian aid deliveries

• Next phases of the 20-point plan—governance, disarmament, reconstruction

• Responses from hardline elements in Israel and Hamas

Conclusion

The approval of the Israel–Hamas ceasefire deal, backed by U.S. guarantees and grounded in a sweeping 20-point framework, holds both promise and peril. If the key provisions are implemented faithfully, this could represent one of the most significant breakthroughs in the long and tragic Gaza conflict. Yet the fragility of trust, ambiguity in enforcement, and unresolved core issues mean that the success of this deal is far from guaranteed.