After more than six weeks of devastating conflict in Gaza, Israel and Palestinian armed group Hamas have agreed to a four-day truce. The agreement, mediated by Qatar with the involvement of other regional and global powers, marks a temporary pause in the fighting but does not signify an end to the war. The truce comes after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 people.
Throughout the conflict, the Israeli army has relentlessly bombarded Gaza with air and ground attacks, resulting in the deaths of over 14,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. Additionally, an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced and forced to flee to the southern areas of the Strip.
The truce agreement was made possible through the efforts of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, who have been leading negotiations between Israel and Hamas. US President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to Qatar and Egypt for their role in the breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that he had sought Biden’s assistance in securing a more favorable deal for Israel and thanked the US president for his efforts. However, Netanyahu emphasized that the country’s war on Gaza was not coming to an end and that the cessation of fighting was temporary.
As of Wednesday morning, fighting between Israel and Hamas continued, with the start time of the truce yet to be declared. Both sides remain vigilant, ready to resume hostilities if the other violates or is perceived to have violated the terms of the agreement. Israel has not withdrawn its military presence, including soldiers, tanks, and armoured vehicles from Gaza, which it entered in late October through a ground offensive.
Experts caution that the temporary truce with Hamas is just the first step in a challenging negotiation process, as a lasting peace in Gaza remains distant. The release of Israeli military personnel held captive by Hamas is expected to complicate future negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to secure the release of the hostages promptly, while also addressing US pressure for a truce.
In conclusion, while the temporary truce offers a brief respite from the violence in Gaza, the path to a lasting peace remains formidable. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, hoping for a breakthrough that brings an end to the suffering endured by both Israelis and Palestinians.
