Israel’s War with Hamas in the Baluchi Regime: Beyond the Promised End of the Gaza War and its Promise to the Palestinians

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has delivered devastating blows to Hamas: It has killed top Hamas leaders and thousands of militants, pummeled the militant group’s tunnel network and undermined its ability to threaten Israel with rocket fire.

Hamas has celebrated the provisional cease-fire agreement announced on Wednesday as an “accomplishment,” but its future role in Gaza remains uncertain.

“Hamas will be present in every detail in Gaza,” said Ibrahim Madhoun, an analyst close to the militant group who is based in Turkey. “Trying to bypass Hamas will be like burying your head in the sand.”

While Hamas suffered losses, it is still standing on solid ground and has recruited new people, according to Mr. Madhoun. According to a statement by Antony J. Blinken this week, American officials have assessed that Hamas has brought in as many people as it has lost in the war.

The cabinet voted to approve the deal that ends the fighting in Gaza. The decision came two days after mediators Qatar and the United States an agreement had been reached with Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that he still expects the ceasefire to take effect on Sunday. There is a six-week ceasefire with the possibility of staggered release of 33 hostages, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and a surge in humanitarian aid going into the besieged coastal enclave.

But the prime minister’s office had said there remained several “unresolved issues” that needed to be addressed by the cabinet, throwing some uncertainty over the deal. He did not clarify what the issues were. Far-right ministers have voiced opposition to the deal, and one has threatened to quit if it goes ahead.

If the Israeli government approved the deal, the prime minister’s office stated that Hamas would release the first hostages on Sunday.

On Wednesday, President Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and key mediators Qatar and Egypt announced an agreement had been reached to halt the fighting after 15 months of war.