Almost eleven months after the war between Israel and Palestine began, there are no signs of a ceasefire. True, in recent weeks, there have been intensified efforts to arrive at truce through the mediation of Qatar, Cairo and even the United States, and it appeared that things were headed in the right direction. More so, after the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh while he was in Iran as a guest to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. But it looks that the world will have to wait longer for the truce. Hamas on Monday rejected new Israeli conditions for a ceasefire in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, casting further doubt on the chances of a breakthrough in the latest US-backed effort to end the war.
Key sticking points in the talks include Hamas’s opposition to Israeli presence in Gaza. Hamas demands that Israel be bound by a plan laid out by US President Joe Biden and a UN Security Council resolution in July. The group has confirmed its readiness to implement that deal to halt the destruction of the Gaza Strip, It has stressed the need for any agreement to include a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The war has inflicted unimaginable suffering on Palestinians, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed and widespread devastation across the Gaza Strip. The human toll, combined with the destruction of infrastructure and the severe humanitarian crisis, underlines the urgent need for a sustainable resolution. Israel’s assault has aggravated the dire situation in Gaza, leading to mass displacement and severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials.
Hamas’s cautious response, expressing a desire for amendments while broadly supporting the deal, signals a willingness to negotiate. However, skepticism remains high, particularly regarding Israel’s commitment to fully implementing the terms. The mutual distrust between the parties is a significant barrier to peace, necessitating robust mediation and confidence-building measures.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated. The war has pushed the enclave to the brink of starvation, with over a million people facing extreme hunger. The immediate cessation of hostilities and the delivery of aid are imperative to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. Moreover, allegations of potential war crimes by Israeli forces further complicate the situation, necessitating accountability and justice.
In recent past, students from the elite western universities had tried their best to draw the world’s attention to the horrors of the war inflicted on Palestinians. They understood that behind the headlines and statistics are real people, families torn apart by violence and displacement. Their demand for a ceasefire was a demand for humanity, for compassion, and for the recognition of the dignity and rights of all people, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. But so far the world has done precious little to end the unmitigated suffering of Palestinians.
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