According to Yehezkeli, the deal signifies that “Hamas moves forward in Gaza,” highlighting Israel’s inability to alter the region’s dynamics. Micha Kobi, a former official in Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, labeled the agreement as “one of the worst deals Israel has ever made,” according to Al Mayadeen.

Negotiators in Qatar are close to a ceasefire deal that sees an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees, a six-week pause in fighting and eventual troop withdrawal from Gaza.