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This episode of The Jerusalem Post’s Deep Dive, hosted by Jacob Laznik, examines two central issues, the evolving Gaza ceasefire and postwar governance plans, and mounting criticism from hostage families over how negotiations were handled during the war.
In the first segment, military correspondent Yonah Jeremy Bob analyzes phase two of the Gaza ceasefire, focusing on the reopening of the Rafah crossing and the broader question of who will ultimately govern Gaza. Bob explains that while the crossing has reopened under a complex multinational framework involving Israel, Egypt, Palestinians, and European monitors, it currently applies only to civilian movement, not commercial goods. Israel retains the ability to conduct targeted military strikes, though future international involvement could complicate freedom of action.
Bob outlines the emerging civilian administration model, which includes Palestinian technocrats linked in practice to the Palestinian Authority, operating under Trump’s “Board of Peace,” with day-to-day management overseen by an executive committee led by former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov and backed by Jared Kushner. However, he stresses that meaningful civilian governance on the ground is still months away.
On security, Bob says plans for an international stabilization force inside Gaza have collapsed, leaving a proposed Palestinian police force as the most likely option, despite Israeli political resistance and the risk of Hamas retaining hidden power. He predicts a weakened but persistent “Hamas 1.1” scenario rather than full dismantlement.
The second half features an interview with Gil Dickmann, cousin of hostage Carmel Gat, who was murdered in Rafah. Dickmann sharply criticizes former hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch and the Netanyahu government, accusing them of prioritizing political interests over saving lives.
He claims families were pressured to remain silent, while real opportunities for hostage deals were missed. Dickmann rejects the narrative that the final deal was the only possible outcome, arguing that dozens of hostages died in captivity who could have been saved.
He warns against efforts to “close the chapter” without accountability and calls for a full commission of inquiry and political change to prevent another October 7.