“I don’t think the Americans are willing to push the Israelis at the present moment to accept a Palestinian state — and I think that’s the crucial question here,” said H.A. Disarming HamasAnother major obstacle is Hamas’s refusal to fully disarm — which the militant group says it won’t do unless a “sovereign” Palestinian state is established. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementIn Gaza, many Palestinians believe Israeli troops never intend to leave the areas they now control. “Hamas committed to a ceasefire and the first part of that ceasefire was releasing all of our hostages. A Palestinian child carries water containers amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza City on Nov. 19.

Source: CBC News December 22, 2025 14:08 UTC