Editorial: A mix of hope and fear

The Israel-Hamas truce requires sincerity, foresight and an accommodative approach from both sides to make the deal work

Despite its inherent fragility, the Israel-Hamas truce is a welcome development that raises hopes of eventually ending a devastating war that has inflicted miseries on millions of people. The three-phase ceasefire agreement, reached after months of hard negotiations, represents the first major respite for the besieged people of Gaza. It is in Israel’s best interests — as well as that of other major actors in the region and beyond — to ensure that it is the first step to a more lasting peace. It requires sincerity, foresight and an accommodative approach from both sides to make the deal work. The current round of conflict, following Hamas’s deadly incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent retaliatory offensive by Tel Aviv, has left over 46,000 people dead and threatens to engulf much of West Asia. Under the first of the agreement, Hamas has agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages while Israel will release Palestinian prisoners. The second phase of the truce deal will see the release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza. Finally, in the third phase, the hope is that the reconstruction of Gaza will begin under the aegis of UN agencies, Egypt and Qatar. Gaza is in the grip of an unimaginably complex humanitarian crisis. The massive displacement has left over 90% of the population — nearly 2.3 million people —homeless. Entire neighbourhoods lie in ruins, and the lack of basic necessities has pushed residents to the brink of famine. The truce, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, serves as a balm to the wounds of war.

A crucial component of the ceasefire includes a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza. This would enable displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and help rebuild critical infrastructure. Yet, the long-term success of this agreement hinges on both sides’ willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. The fragile nature of previous ceasefire truces — such as the one in November 2023 that lasted only a week —underscores the difficulty of achieving lasting peace. Key obstacles include Hamas’s insistence on maintaining its military capabilities and Israel’s objective to dismantle Hamas’ governing structures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, grappling with domestic political fractures, faces immense pressure to deliver a durable solution. Simultaneously, Hamas must balance internal consolidation with an external show of strength, risking its grip on Gaza if the ceasefire falters. Before the Hamas strike in 2023, there were significant improvements in ties between Israel and moderate Arab states, including the Abraham Accords with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reviving the Accords in letter and spirit will require an accommodation of Palestinian aspirations, which is only possible if all sides act in good faith. For Donald Trump, who is already claiming the ceasefire as the first success of his presidency, the inconvenient reality is that he is now shackled with responsibility for the deal’s fate.

---