A Fragile Ceasefire, Asteroid Threat Reduced, and China-Taiwan Tensions

Tipping Point Quick Hits (02.27.25)

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: What Happens Next?

The initial 42-day ceasefire truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is set to expire on Saturday. Both parties are beginning to negotiate the next phase of the fragile peace agreement. Until yesterday, talks had stalled because Israel had delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners because of how Hamas had been treating Israeli hostages.

Hamas then agreed to hand over the bodies of four hostages—Shlomo Mansour (86), Ohad Yahalomi (50), Tsachi Idan (50), and Itzik Elgarat (69)—and Israel agreed to the prisoner release. Most significantly this took place quietly, without the sickening public ceremonies by Hamas that enraged Israel.

The prisoners Israel released include 400 Gazans detained by Israel during the war and 50 prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails.