Grounds for hope

The sudden agreement of an indefinite ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians and easing of conditions yesterday brought enormous relief to embattled citizens both sides of the Gaza border and to international onlookers - although no small measure of unease lingers.

The latest fighting, the most prolonged since a 2000-05 Palestinian uprising, has killed more than 2000 Palestinians in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, injured thousands more and left hundreds of thousands homeless, and killed 64 Israeli soldiers and six civilians in Israel.

Several short ceasefires only temporarily suspended the bloodshed, so it is certainly hoped the truce, negotiated midweek by Egypt, puts an end to the suffering.

The agreement saw an immediate end to hostilities, with Israel's primary goal keeping its citizens safe.

It allowed for the immediate opening of Gaza's blockaded crossings with Israel and Egypt to allow for desperately needed goods, humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to be taken to embattled Palestinians.

It also allows for an easing of fishing restrictions, largely seen as a symbolic move.

A second stage of the agreement in a month will reportedly involve discussions around construction of a Gaza sea port and airport, and prisoner exchange.

The road ahead is fraught with difficulties and history has proven stability between the hostile neighbours to be fragile.

No-one is pretending the situation is permanently resolved. Although both main militant factions in Gaza - Hamas and Islamic Jihad - and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to the terms with Israel, there is no doubt rogue elements could undermine it, and in defence of its people Israel will not let any attacks go unanswered as it and Egypt fear any incursion from Hamas militants.

The arguments over rights and wrongs, grievances and redresses, and various fractious factions remain, as do long-standing issues.

Palestinians want a permanent end to the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after Hamas ousted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party from the Gaza Strip in a 2007 coup, and the removal of fishing, travel and trade restrictions.

Israel will only agree if Hamas disarms, which is unlikely. Two of the major looming shadows of course are Israel's contentious settlements, and the establishment of a Palestinian state - not addressed by the agreement.

There is much to be done, by many parties. Egypt's role has been far from black and white, even though it brokered the new agreement.

However, previous ones have failed and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is a difficult mediator for Hamas given he took power after the military coup which overthrew the democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas' parent organisation, and designated it a terrorist group in Egypt.

Qatar is seen by many commentators as offering an important role as mediator, able to liaise with Hamas, while the United States can do the same with Israel. The United Nations must of course continue to play a role.

The days and weeks ahead remain pivotal and all players will be seeking to further their causes.

It is believed Mr Abbas is planning to ask the United Nations to set a timetable for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state along 1967 lines.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken hits to his popularity with every ceasefire, as many Israelis believe Hamas are terrorists who should be totally defeated.

Revelations of work on more settlements which has gone on under the radar during the Gaza fighting are bound to bring that issue to the fore again.

For now though, it seems almost possible to hear a collective sigh of relief.

The horrific pictures of the dead, injured, bereaved and shellshocked and the rubble that remains of their Gaza neighbourhoods, is heartbreaking - particularly as it seems a never- ending case of deja vu.

There is no doubt there is wrongdoing on both sides and the issue is complicated.

But in any war zone civilians pay the highest price.

All sides must seek meaningful progress that avoids further bloodshed and lets physical and spiritual rebuilding begin.

The world is holding its breath once more.

 

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