A Shaky Exchange
In a somber turn, Hamas handed over four more coffins of Israeli hostages late Tuesday. This came after Israel announced it would slash its daily humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza from 600 to 300—a move aimed at pressuring Hamas to stick to last week's ceasefire deal. 😔🚛
Tensions on the Streets
Back in Gaza City, hundreds of Hamas fighters have flooded the streets, reasserting control and executing those they accuse of collaborating with Israel. The tense atmosphere shows that beyond the hostage returns, power remains fiercely contested. 🛡️🔥
Trump’s Tough Talk
At the White House, President Trump warned: "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them…and it will happen quickly and perhaps violently." His blunt ultimatum followed his speech to Israel's parliament, where he hailed a "historic dawn of a new Middle East." Yet with Hamas rejecting disarmament and Israeli leaders insisting on it, the path to peace feels rocky.
Expert Voices
Li Zixin of the China Institute of International Studies points out that the core issues—Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas disarmament—remain stalled, deepening distrust. "Without clear guarantees, there's little incentive for Hamas to give up arms, and Israel won't fully withdraw," Li says.
Shibley Telhami from the University of Maryland fears the ceasefire could become just a prisoner swap with fireworks instead of real peace. "Is this the last phase, or just a pause button?" he asks, warning that without a solid second stage, conflict could reignite. 🔄
What’s Next?
With more bodies delivered but aid still halved, Trump's peace plan hangs in the balance. Will this "historic dawn" break, or fade into another chapter of unseen conflicts in Gaza's dust-filled streets? 🕊️
Reference(s):
Hamas hands over more bodies as outlook for Trump's peace plan darkens
cgtn.com
