THERE had been off-again, on-again fighting between Israel and Hamas for 50 days. But there is now immediate relief to both sides of the border which is peaceful following a deal brokered by Egypt. Already as many as 2200 lives have been lost in fighting, mostly Palestinian. Civilians among Gazans and Israelis are tired of war. That is the main cause a truce is now on. The deal will open some of Gaza’s border crossings and put an end to restrictions. Aid and building materials will get across without difficulty. Israel wants demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Hamas demand a port and an airport in Gaza. Prisoners have to be released in Cairo a month later.
The same deal had been proposed by Egypt a month ago but Hamas rejected it. None of the main demands of the Hamas have been granted. Their top military leadership has been whittled down. However 30,00,00 Hamas have already been thrown out of their homes. So at last Hamas have agreed to the Egypt-brokered peace proposals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been under fire from right wing members of his cabinet for accepting the deal. Doubts arise about how durable the peace is. The extremists in the Israel cabinet are of the opinion that they could inflict a crushing defeat on the Hamas and wipe them out.
But there would have been humanitarian criticism of such military action which would have been unfavourable for Israel diplomatically.Gaza’s reconstruction depends on the combined efforts of Hamas, the Palestinian authority and Israel. Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas and Netanyahu should start a serious dialogue to pave the way for a durable peace.
