Gaza Truce Brings Relief, But Arab States Fear What Comes Next
Displaced Palestinians pass destroyed buildings as they return to their homes in the in al-Zahra area, in the Gaza Strip, on Oct. 14.
Photographer: Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images
As world leaders gathered in Egypt on Monday for the signing of a deal to halt the war in Gaza, there was celebration in both Israel and the shattered Palestinian enclave.
But among Arab countries — who helped seal the agreement and will shoulder the greatest burden going forward — there was a creeping sense of uncertainty given there’s little in place to underpin the plan’s future, according to officials across the region. Many remain cautiously optimistic, but have major concerns around who will fund Gaza’s reconstruction, whose troops will maintain peace, the future of Hamas and the reliability of Israel, said the people, who requested anonymity discussing sensitive matters.