With a deal agreed upon, the question on everyone’s mind is: is this real peace, or just a temporary pause in the conflict? While the agreement announced on Saturday is a monumental step, several formidable obstacles stand between this deal and a lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
The first obstacle is implementation. The process of releasing hostages, withdrawing troops, and establishing a new government is fraught with logistical and political challenges. Any failure or delay could shatter the fragile trust and lead to a resumption of hostilities.
The second obstacle is the issue of disarmament. The Trump plan calls for it, but Hamas has not explicitly agreed to it. A heavily armed Hamas operating in the background, even without governing, would be a constant source of instability and a threat to any lasting peace.
The third, and largest, obstacle is the unresolved final status issues. The current deal deliberately sidesteps the core drivers of the conflict: borders, the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for refugees, and Palestinian statehood. Hamas has already stated these require a “unified national position” and will be subject to future, likely contentious, negotiations.
While the current deal can end the war and save lives, it does not resolve the fundamental conflict. It creates a new status quo and provides a much-needed period of calm, but it is not a final peace treaty. Achieving a real, lasting solution will require overcoming these immense obstacles, a task that has eluded the world for generations.