What to Make of Hamas and Israel's Pending Cease-Fire

A temporary cease-fire in Gaza will probably give way to resumed combat operations, but in a currently less likely scenario, it could eventually open a path for Hamas' withdrawal from the strip. Israel's war Cabinet is expected to soon authorize a partial cease-fire deal with the Palestinian militant group Hamas in what is slated to be the first sustained break in fighting since the war broke out on Oct. 7. As part of the pending deal, Hamas has reportedly agreed to release up to 50 Israeli hostages, mostly women and children, in exchange for Israel releasing around 150 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. The agreement is expected to see increased aid into the Gaza Strip, a four-day cease-fire between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas, and a potential second phase that will see more hostages and prisoners exchanged, along with a possible extension of the cease-fire beyond the...