As joy spread through Israel following the release of the remaining hostages, many hoped it marked the start of a new chapter of peace in the Middle East.
But experts warn that the hard part is just beginning. According to Oxford-based Middle East analyst Mark Almond, several dangerous flashpoints could still derail Donald Trump’s ambitious peace plan.
Below, we break down the fourteen key challenges that threaten to unravel this fragile moment of hope.
The Painful Task of Returning the Bodies
One of the most emotional parts of the peace deal requires Hamas to hand over the remains of hostages who died during the two-year conflict.
But that’s far easier said than done. Many victims are believed to be buried beneath the rubble left by relentless bombing.
Even identifying them will be difficult — and if all the remains aren’t returned, suspicion will linger that Hamas is hiding evidence of torture or executions.
Families waiting for closure may face a long and agonizing wait.
The Problem of Disarming Hamas
Disarming Hamas was one of Israel’s top demands.
Yet just hours after the ceasefire was announced, around 7,000 Hamas fighters appeared on the streets, claiming to act as a temporary police force.
Donald Trump has hinted he could tolerate this short-term arrangement to prevent chaos in Gaza, but for Israel, any armed Hamas presence is unacceptable.
The sight of militants carrying weapons may reignite old fears before peace has a chance to settle in.
Fear of a Gaza Civil War
Gaza’s internal tensions haven’t disappeared. Hamas may still be the dominant group, but rivals like the Doghmush clan—a powerful family militia—pose a real threat.
Recently, Hamas deployed roughly 2,000 fighters to crush the Doghmush clan, killing more than 30 people and arresting dozens.
Such infighting risks plunging Gaza into chaos just when it needs unity most.
Can Hamas Be Trusted After Israel’s Withdrawal?
Even if Israeli troops leave Gaza as planned, there’s no guarantee that Hamas will honor its word.
The last time Israel withdrew in 2005, Hamas staged a violent takeover, pushing out the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and launching rocket attacks into Israel.
Many Israelis fear history could repeat itself once their soldiers are gone.
Will International Peacekeepers Step Up?
The plan calls for international peacekeepers to monitor disarmament and security in Gaza.
But will they actually risk their lives to do it? The U.S. has already ruled out putting American boots on the ground.
Without strong backing, peacekeepers could become “toothless,” easily brushed aside like previous UN forces in the region.
Tensions Brewing in the West Bank
While Gaza grabs headlines, the West Bank remains a powder keg.
More than 1,400 people have died there in violent clashes over the past two years.
With millions of Palestinians and hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers living side by side, even a small spark could ignite a large-scale conflict.
Some fear that attacks similar to the October 7 atrocities near Gaza could happen in the West Bank next.
Deep-Rooted Historical Divides
The struggle isn’t just political—it’s deeply historical.
Israelis trace their national heritage to the land of ancient Israel, including cities like Jerusalem and Hebron.
But for Muslims, Jerusalem also holds sacred significance as the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
These overlapping claims have no easy resolution, and both sides see the land as central to their identity.
The Threat of Renewed Missile Strikes
Iran and its regional allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, could easily reignite tensions by resuming missile attacks.
Israel’s response would likely be swift and forceful, shattering any fragile truce.
Danger on the Frontline
Not every act of violence will be deliberate. Just recently, Israeli soldiers shot and killed five Palestinians who crossed the ceasefire line.
Incidents like this show how even small, spontaneous clashes could spiral into a major confrontation.
Unresolved Territorial Disputes
Time hasn’t healed old wounds. Many Palestinians still live only a few miles from homes their families were forced to abandon in 1948. Eight decades later, resentment runs deep.
Even if the fighting stops, emotional scars and the question of rightful ownership could fuel future conflict.
Divisions Among World Powers
Trump’s peace plan faces another challenge — global disagreement.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a Palestinian state, several of America’s allies, including Britain’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron, have already recognized one.
These conflicting positions could fracture international support and make Trump’s already delicate plan even harder to sustain.
Disputes Over the Peace Board
Trump’s proposed “Peace Board”, which would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, may itself become a battlefield.
Everyone agrees Trump should lead it, but beyond that, consensus disappears.
If the board becomes bogged down in political infighting, rebuilding efforts could stall—pushing desperate Palestinians back into the arms of extremists.
The Battle Over Gas Revenues
There’s also money at stake. The gas fields off Gaza’s coast could be a game changer for reconstruction—but who controls them?
Israel wants to use the revenue to recover from the costly war, while Palestinians see it as a crucial lifeline to rebuild their devastated region.
Without agreement, economic recovery could become yet another point of conflict.
The Right-Wing Pushback in Israel
Inside Israel, right-wing members of Netanyahu’s coalition are already voicing anger over any deal that doesn’t mean Hamas’s total surrender.
Some hardliners want the military to resume operations in Gaza immediately.
As one far-right politician put it bluntly, “We will not accept any partial victory.”
If this pressure grows, it could force Netanyahu to abandon Trump’s peace deal altogether.
A Fragile Peace Hanging in the Balance
For now, the world watches a rare moment of calm — but beneath it lies a web of unresolved issues, mistrust, and raw pain.
Whether Trump’s peace vision can survive all fourteen of these flashpoints remains to be seen.
In the Middle East, even peace comes with conditions.