After more than six weeks of intense fighting that has resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life, Israel and Palestinian armed group Hamas have agreed to a four-day truce. However, it is important to note that Israel has made it clear that this truce does not signify the end of the war. The conflict, which began on October 7 when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, has led to the deaths of over 14,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and the displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians who have sought refuge in the southern areas of the Gaza Strip.
The truce agreement was mediated by Qatar, which has been leading negotiations between Israel and Hamas while coordinating with other regional and global powers, including the United States and Egypt. US President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude towards Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt for their role in achieving this breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that he had leveraged his relationship with President Biden to secure a more favorable deal for Israel and expressed his gratitude for the US president’s efforts. However, Netanyahu emphasized that the cessation of fighting is only temporary and that Israel is not ending its war on Gaza.
It is important to note that as of Wednesday morning, fighting between the two sides has not completely ceased. Qatar has stated that the start time of the truce will be announced within 24 hours. After numerous rounds of negotiations and several instances where a deal seemed imminent before falling apart, Netanyahu presented the proposed truce to his cabinet on Tuesday night. Only three members of his cabinet, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, opposed the deal.
Both Israel and Hamas are expected to resume hostilities if either side perceives a breach of the agreement. Israel has not withdrawn its military presence from Gaza, which it entered in late October through a ground offensive. The truce agreement is also subject to a potential appeal by Israel’s parliament within 24 hours.
Experts warn that while the temporary truce is a first step, achieving lasting peace in Gaza will be a challenging task. James Dorsey, a senior fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute, highlights the complexity of negotiations moving forward, particularly regarding the release of Israeli military personnel held captive by Hamas. Domestic pressure in Israel calls for their immediate release, while US pressure pushes for a truce.
In conclusion, the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas offers a momentary respite in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, the road to lasting peace remains arduous and fraught with challenges. The international community will closely monitor developments and hope for a positive outcome that can bring an end to the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.
