Palestinians returning to northern Gaza under the ceasefire agreement.
A ceasefire has started in Gaza because of the first part of the “Trump Plan.” This is a big, but unstable, moment in global politics. The Israeli army has confirmed the ceasefire and is partly pulling out, which is changing how people are safe, who controls land, and how countries show their power around the world.
The deal’s first phase orchestrates a complex exchange: Hamas is given 72 hours to release all Israeli hostages, while Israel commits to releasing hundreds of Palestinian detainees. This transactional approach highlights the biopolitical core of the conflict, where human lives are used as the ultimate currency in state-level negotiations.
The Biopolitics of Displacement and Return
The most immediate and critical development is the sight of Palestinians beginning to return to northern Gaza. For weeks, the forced displacement of Gaza’s two million people has been a defining feature of the conflict. This return challenges the narrative of sovereign control established by military force.
. IDF Withdrawal: The Israeli forces have pulled back to the lines agreed under the Trump plan, signifying a momentary shift in the spatial control of the territory. However, the IDF maintains the right to “remove any immediate threat,” underlining that the security apparatus remains paramount and full military disengagement is not yet guaranteed.
. Humanitarian Surge: Once the deal is operational, a major surge of aid trucks is promised. As the UN humanitarian chief emphasizes, the priority is to “overwhelm Gaza with food.” This is a crucial biopolitical necessity—the stabilization of the population’s physical survival is essential before any long-term political framework can be discussed. The rebuilding of the health system remains a “massive challenge.”
The Geopolitical & Security Framework
The Israeli government’s approval of the deal, despite internal security concerns, underscores the immense US political pressure applied by President Donald Trump. His direct involvement, including setting deadlines for hostage release, demonstrated an external force overriding the traditional military-political decision-making cycle.
The US has even moved 200 troops to Israel to help coordinate a multinational force to monitor the ceasefire, though the UK has ruled out sending its own ground troops. This signals the high-stakes, international nature of the truce enforcement.
The agreement, however, is merely a pause. Sticking points remain regarding a longer-term settlement, including the negotiation on a Palestinian state and the future role of the Palestinian Authority. The ceasefire, therefore, is not a conclusion but an intermediate stage a strategic pause governed by the exchange of bodies (hostages/detainees) and the temporary modification of military control lines, all under the shadow of persistent national security threats.
