<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The living hostages are home in Israel, Palestinians have welcomed back almost 2000 prisoners and US President Donald Trump led a spotlight moment for world leaders that was supposed to be a peace summit but at times seemed more like a victory lap.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But despite the unquestioned diplomatic achievement that led to the second ceasefire of the two-year Israeli invasion of Gaza and war with Hamas, many questions will remain after the broader cheering stops.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This moment is, despite its significance and its undoubted emotional impact, only the start of phase one of a peace plan brokered by mediators such as the US, Egypt, and Qatar.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-gaza-update-donald-trump-addresses-israeli-knesset-calls-for-benjamin-netanyahu-pardon/3c63614b-9899-4340-bf0f-29b4a6f43dad" target="_blank"><strong><span>Joy, relief and jubilation as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees given freedom</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And what comes next may well prove harder.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What has happened so far?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yesterday, Hamas released the final 20 still-living hostages from the 250 they seized in their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/israel-hamas-ceasefire-gaza-what-happens-next-after-hostages-prisoners-freed/c032a48f-343e-4b25-9857-4da0b86270d6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This sparked scenes of joy in Israel, and not just for the families and loved ones suddenly reunited with those who had spent more than two years living under a potential death sentence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The remains of another four hostages were conveyed to the IDF by Hamas fighters, and have since returned to Israel for identification.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-weather-update-south-eastern-temperatures-vary-wildly/8390caa8-e0e2-447f-ac56-00d77c6f10cf" target="_blank"><strong><span>Whip-sawing temperatures to see millions bake while others freeze</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another 24 now-dead hostages are meant to be returned within 72 hours of the ceasefire starting, but Israel and Hamas have both suggested that could be difficult given how much of Gaza has been destroyed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, Israeli forces withdrew from about 70 per cent of the occupied territory, and a surge of aid has been allowed in.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>So is the war over?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump has been unequivocal in his view, stating multiple times, including to the Israeli Knesset, that the war is finished.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other main actors are less sure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the evening before Trump arrived, made clear the military campaign "wasn't over" amid persistent threats to Israel's security.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/warm-and-loving-teen-thom-hosking-killed-on-way-to-school-was-days-from-starting-his-first-job/d86a67af-aee8-4e9a-8fd3-8efa523cf1aa" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Warm and loving' teen killed on way to school was days from starting his first job</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He remains under pressure from far-right members of his coalition government to continue going after Hamas in Gaza - though he has also said he is "committed" to the peace process.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And Hamas has refused to disarm while Israeli troops remain in Gaza, though they too have signalled acceptance of the peace agreement, which rules out any future involvement by Hamas in the management of the region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What could restart the conflict?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If Hamas is seen to be using the ceasefire to regroup and rebuild its strength, or reassert its control over Palestinians, Netanyahu's government could claim it is breaching the terms of the agreement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If Israel refuse to withdraw to agreed areas, or begin to limit the amount of aid flowing into Gaza, Hamas could easily say the same.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Then it will come down to what extent the mediators in the situation are able to exert their influence to keep the bloodshed from resuming.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In Israel, there has already been some outrage over just four of the slain hostages being returned so far, with claims it's in defiance of the agreed-on terms.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What is the plan for rebuilding Gaza?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The future governance of Gaza remains unclear.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the US plan, an international body will govern the territory, overseeing Palestinian technocrats running day-to-day affairs. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will be headed up by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hamas has said Gaza's government should be worked out among Palestinians.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The plan envisions an eventual role for Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority – something Netanyahu has long opposed – but it requires the authority to undergo reforms.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The plan calls for an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israeli forces would leave areas as those forces deploy. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>About 200 US troops are in Israel to monitor the ceasefire.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The plan also mentions the possibility of a future Palestinian state, another nonstarter for Netanyahu.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>- Reported with CNN and Associated Press.</span></em><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div 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