Bangladesh, Oct. 4 -- In a stunning turn of events, Israel announced on September 4 that it is ready to move forward with a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, based on US President Donald Trumps peace initiative. The decision, unveiled in an official statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office, could mark the most significant breakthrough in months of war and stalled negotiations. But with mistrust high, and critical elements of the plan left unaddressed, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty.

The deal comes in response to a 20-point peace framework presented by Trump on September 30, which demands a ceasefire, an exchange of hostages and prisoners, and the eventual establishment of an apolitical transitional governm...