A Gaza ceasefire deal could be Trump’s biggest diplomatic achievement – but the devil is in the detail

A Gaza ceasefire deal, brokered under President Trump’s diplomatic initiative, is being widely described as his most significant achievement on the global stage to date, but the details of implementation remain highly complex and contentious.

Key Aspects of the Ceasefire Deal

• The agreement’s initial phase establishes a ceasefire and the release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza, alongside a prisoner swap involving Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

• Israel is to withdraw its troops to a mutually agreed line, and significant humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza immediately.

• The next steps include further negotiations focused on long-term arrangements for governance in Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a technocratic, non-political Palestinian committee to oversee post-war reconstruction, supervised by an international board led by Trump and supported by global figures such as Tony Blair.

Challenges and Detailed Concerns

• Although the ceasefire represents a major diplomatic breakthrough, both Hamas and Israeli stakeholders have expressed reservations about the robustness and permanence of Trump’s plan: crucial points such as the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, effective guarantees against resumption of hostilities, and real autonomy for Gaza are ambiguous or fiercely contested.

• Hamas officials have cautioned that some provisions allow Israel considerable latitude to restart military operations after an initial truce, and that the distribution and oversight of humanitarian aid pursuant to the agreement may still be subject to Israeli control.

• The plan relies on continued negotiation and involvement from mediators such as Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, with further details promised but not yet finalized.

International Response

• The deal has been hailed by leaders across the region for its potential to bring lasting peace, though most acknowledge that “the devil is in the detail”—meaning the ultimate success will depend on concrete guarantees, transparent implementation, and how both sides address contentious aspects like security and governance.

Trump’s mediation for a Gaza ceasefire could reshape regional diplomacy and his legacy, but its real impact depends on whether both Israel and Hamas faithfully adhere to the detailed terms and the post-ceasefire arrangements can deliver stable governance and genuine peace for Gaza.