Israel, Gaza, the Ceasefire, and the Prospects for the Future

Two years after Hamas invaded Israel, a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States brought the conflict one step closer to resolution. That October 10th agreement created to conditions for the return of remaining Israeli hostages and the bodies of deceased captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. It also opened up channels for the delivery of humanitarian aid at levels that had not been seen since the October 7, 2023, invasion.\r\n\r\nThe 20-point peace plan is complex and fragile. Hostilities continue to break out episodically, and though aid has scaled up, many Gazans continue to face chronic food insecurity. Hamas has not disarmed, and Israel continues to remain in a wartime posture. Despite uncertainty, progress toward a lasting peace remains the stated goal of the warring parties.\r\n\r\nBoth Michael Koplow and Ahmed Alkhatib know this conflict intimately.\r\n\r\nBorn in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian parents, Ahmed Alkhatib is a writer and the head of Realign for Palestine. a project of the Atlantic Council, Realign advocates for Palestinian statehood and self-determination.\r\n\r\nMichael Koplow is Chief Policy Officer at the Israel Policy Forum. His writing frequently appears in the Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy, among many other publications.\r\nModerated by Cleveland Council on World Affairs\' CEO Marti Flacks.