After three days of relative peace, the truce between Israel and Hamas is on the verge of expiring. The pause in hostilities, which began on Friday, has allowed both communities to experience a temporary respite from the violence that has plagued the region for the past 50 days. However, tensions have started to rise again as Hamas accuses Israel of not respecting the terms of the agreement.
On Saturday, Hamas announced that it would not release the second batch of captives because Israel was not abiding by the truce deal. Israeli forces were allegedly shooting at Palestinians trying to reach their homes, prisoners were not being released according to agreed guidelines, and aid deliveries fell short of targets set in the agreement. In response, Qatari and Egyptian diplomats intervened to broker a resolution, ensuring that the agreed number of aid trucks would enter Gaza before the truce expires on Tuesday morning.
The release of captives on Saturday evening brought joy and relief to both Israeli and Palestinian families, who took to the streets in mass displays of emotion. The international community, eager for a lasting cessation of hostilities, has expressed its support for any deal the parties may reach. However, the desire for peace seems to be overshadowing other critical issues.
Despite the truce, the killing of eight Palestinians by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank on Sunday received minimal attention. The focus remains on maintaining the fragile ceasefire rather than seeking justice for those who lost their lives. Additionally, concerns arise about Hezbollah and the Houthis, who were not part of the agreement and may escalate their attacks on Israel, endangering the truce.
To prevent any reckless actions from Hezbollah, Iran’s Foreign Minister flew to Lebanon to meet with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, emphasizing the consequences of not observing the truce. Hezbollah, known for its disciplined soldiers, maintained restraint throughout the truce, with only one incident reported involving the firing of a missile at an Israeli observation drone. The Houthis, on the other hand, launched new missile attacks against Israel, but their efforts were successfully intercepted.
However, the Houthis continued to threaten cargo ships allegedly linked to Israel, hijacking one and attempting to hijack another. The US Navy intervened in the latter incident, forcing the attackers to flee. While the Houthis’ arsenal appears unable to disrupt the current agreement, the situation remains unpredictable.
As the expiration of the truce nears, both sides have hinted at the possibility of an extension. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the truce could continue if Hamas releases more hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas expressed its desire to extend the truce but demanded the release of more Palestinian prisoners.
Despite the temporary peace, soldiers and politicians on both sides remind their people that the pause is only temporary, and fighting is scheduled to resume. General Herzi Halevi, Chief of General Staff, stated that Israeli forces will return to operations with determination once the truce expires, aiming to secure the release of all hostages and dismantle Hamas.
Without an official extension, there is a high possibility of fighting resuming as soon as Monday night. The expiration of the truce, coupled with the completion of the prisoner exchange and aid deliveries, may prompt soldiers to return to war immediately. To prevent the unraveling of the truce, an extension must be announced before the last captives are freed on Monday.
In conclusion, the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance as its expiration date approaches. Despite a few days of relative calm, the underlying tensions and unresolved issues threaten to reignite the conflict. The international community anxiously awaits news of an extension, hoping for a lasting resolution to the violence that has plagued the region for far too long.
