The announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza has brought relief to millions, yet its implementation remains fraught with challenges. Palestinians have rejected any form of foreign guardianship, while calls for an independent international investigation into war crimes and genocide committed by Israel are growing louder.
Tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians are now returning to their devastated towns and cities in northern Gaza, as Israeli forces begin to cease fire and partially withdraw under the first phase of a peace deal with Hamas.
In a significant development, US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper returned to Israel after visiting Gaza on Saturday to oversee the establishment of a post-ceasefire coordination centre. US service members have already begun arriving in Israel as part of the initiative, with around 200 troops expected to participate.
According to US officials, the forces will assist with humanitarian aid distribution, logistical support, and security coordination in Gaza. They will also monitor efforts toward the establishment of civilian governance in the territory.
Admiral Cooper said his visit aimed to supervise progress on creating a “CENTCOM-led civil-military coordination centre,” intended to support “post-conflict stabilization” in Gaza.
“America’s sons and daughters in uniform are answering the call to deliver peace in the Middle East in support of the Commander in Chief’s direction in this historic moment,” Cooper stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, China has reaffirmed its support for the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine,” a stance widely endorsed by the international community. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that any arrangements regarding Gaza’s future must respect the will of the Palestinian people, according to reports from Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, and Xinhua.
The later phases
While the first phase of the agreement focuses on achieving and maintaining a ceasefire, uncertainty surrounds the subsequent stages of the peace plan. A deep trust deficit among the opposing parties continues to threaten its implementation.
There is no guarantee that later phases envisioned in President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza Plan will be realized. However, observers say Trump may be able to persuade Israel to adhere to the framework.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said Hamas leaders gained confidence in Trump’s mediation after his handling of both the Qatar strikes and the ceasefire that ended Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June. Trump’s public assurance that Israel would not attack Qatar again strengthened his credibility among Hamas and other regional actors.
Expressing optimism, President Trump announced that 20 surviving captives and the bodies of 28 others who died in captivity will be handed over on Monday as part of the US-brokered ceasefire deal.
The U.S. president is scheduled to travel to Cairo this weekend and later address the Israeli Knesset before returning to Washington.
As Palestinians cautiously return to their war-torn homes amid the Israeli pullback, key questions about Gaza’s future remain unresolved — including the path toward a sovereign Palestinian state and the long-term structure of governance in the territory.
