The agreement reached in Sharm El-Sheikh marks a historic and profoundly significant step toward rescuing Gaza’s civilian population from the relentless agony, hunger, and bloodshed they have endured over the past two years. The most crucial feature of this accord is that, thankfully, it eliminates any notion of forced displacement of Gaza’s residents, offering instead a rare and desperately needed hope for restoring safety, stability, and the rhythms of ordinary life to a population that has suffered far too long.
Yet, as with every pact concluded amid violent conflict—anywhere, at any time, especially in the post-World War II era—this agreement carries within it the familiar layers of complexity: formal texts, guiding principles, technical implementation mechanisms, schedules, deadlines, contact and withdrawal lines, and security arrangements.
In essence, the first phase of the deal, just announced, includes three of its 21 provisions, outlining specific measures, arrangements, timelines, and procedures. Within the next 72 hours, Hamas must, before taking any other action—and I emphasize, before anything else—hand over the living hostages and the remains of those killed in captivity. This process, including its final details and timetable, was carefully negotiated and finalized in Sharm El-Sheikh.
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Once this is completed, Israel will begin withdrawing its three combat divisions from the Gaza Strip to designated security zones, as the first step in a phased pullback. Future withdrawals will depend on Hamas taking verifiable steps to surrender its weapons—details of which, including type, quantity, and transfer method to Palestinian security forces, have been meticulously agreed upon.
Simultaneously, the first contingent of 1,500 Palestinian police officers, trained in Egypt, will cross through Rafah to assume their duties. Their numbers will gradually expand to a total of 5,000 personnel, excluding any factional affiliations during this stage. Later phases will see additional forces, trained in Jordan, join them to reinforce local security.
The agreement is rife with sensitive and intricate provisions, each resting upon three unwritten but indispensable conditions: first, the good faith of all parties; second, the firm, impartial, and consistent engagement of the American mediator under President Trump’s administration; and third, the sustained and active involvement of Arab and Islamic powers whose role in securing and sustaining this fragile accord will determine whether peace in Gaza becomes a fleeting truce—or a genuine new beginning.
Emad El Din Adib (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)