Israel-Palestine Ceasefire: What happens next and what are the challenges?
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The implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement has brought hope for Israelis and Palestinians. 

Relatives of the remaining hostages in Israel have been relentlessly calling on the government to end the conflict and fully adhere to the terms of the agreement. 

But challenges remain as the next stages of the deal approach. 

CGTN's Michal Bardavid has more. 

In Israel, the entire nation is focused on one goal, bringing the 94 hostages held in Gaza back home.

According to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, during the first phase, 33 hostages held in Gaza are expected to be freed in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Among those expected to be freed during the first phase is Israeli citizen Ofer Kalderon, who was kidnapped from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz along with two of his children. While the children were released in November 2023, Ofer has remained in captivity.

Sharon Kalderon, Ofer's sister-in-law, has been tirelessly advocating for his release over the past 15 months.

SHARON KALDERON Hostage Relative "Ofer is on the list but, and it's a big but, we don't know if he's dead or alive. We have to bring everyone back, until the very last one. Dead or alive, we have to bring everyone back. This is only the start – we had to start somewhere, and this is a good start."

The ceasefire agreement is divided into three stages.

MICHAL BARDAVID Tel Aviv "Negotiations for the second stage have yet to begin, set to start on the 16th day of the first phase's implementation. The initial deal required months of intense mediation efforts, and relatives of hostages are worried about potential complications. Still, they remain hopeful that both Israel and Hamas will fully commit to the agreement."

Some relatives of the hostages, such as Danny Elgarat, whose brother Itzik is being held in Gaza, fear that with each passing day, their loved ones' lives are at greater risk.

DANNY ELGARAT Hostage Relative "We know that if the deal had happened in July, some of the hostages were still alive, but now they are not. Some members of the Israeli government want to sabotage the deal. We have to make sure they bring all of the hostages back."

Sharon says she can hardly sleep at night; all she wants is her family back and the war to be over.

SHARON KALDERON Hostage Relative "I want to go back home. I live in Kibbutz Sufa. I haven't been home since October 8th, since we were forced to leave. It's not safe there. I can't go back. I want to go home. If the war ends, we can go back home – all of us: the hostages, the soldiers, and us."

One of the biggest challenges in completing all phases of the agreement is determining Gaza's political future. With Israel and the U.S. firmly against any role for Hamas, experts argue that a viable solution may depend on a broader coalition.

LT. COL. RES. ALON EVIATAR Terrorism and Palestinian Affairs Expert  "I don't think there is any other solution for the Gaza Strip that is not Palestinian and Arab. When talking about Palestinians, it means the Palestinian Authority, not local forces in Gaza. Local forces in Gaza, basically, there is no such thing, there is no such option. Only a combination of Arab countries and the Palestinian Authority, at least if not now, then in the coming years."

Many in Israel are counting on support from U.S. President Donald Trump. Though following his inauguration on Monday, Trump expressed doubts about the ceasefire's viability, many Israelis believe he has the influence to encourage both sides to uphold the deal.

Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Tel Aviv.