It was a full two years after the 07 October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel in which 1200 Israelis lost their lives and 251 were taken captive. The Palestinian people of Gaza faced a genocide by Israel in retaliation, which saw more than 68,000 dead, around 1,70,000 injured, along with nearly 2 million forcibly displaced. Every news report created by the incessant bombing of Gaza by Israel to report the fatalities and injured had to be suffixed with the words – many of them were women and children. Experts said the entire Gaza bombings were equivalent to “Six Hiroshimas”!
Many asked the question – how much longer and how many more Palestinians will be slaughtered at the altar of western hypocrisy, Israeli brazenness, and the silence of the Arab world? Finally, the relentless and massive protests by the peaceniks all over the globe, including the streets and universities of the First World countries, started having an impact.
The BDS movement bore fruit, and western governments and political leadership realised that public opinion had completely turned against Israel. It became obvious that appearing to be an unconditional supporter of Israel may entail paying a huge price in future elections and popularity ratings. Moreover, the pressure built by an impatient American President and the families of the Israeli hostages was enough to force Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal that appeared improbable and unachievable just a few weeks ago.
Genesis of the Deal
The ceasefire was an outcome of months of back-room diplomacy. Qatar and Egypt played a key role in the mediation and also in the negotiations. Several regional actors were actively involved. Of course, the US and, therefore, Israel were kept in the loop. The common interest was to prevent the conflict from spiralling out of control (geographically and economically) and stop the unfolding genocide and mass starvation.
Launching the ceasefire at a global summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, with the heads of state of many big nations, including the United States, in a show of unity and support, added legitimacy and a sense of urgency to the deal. The real heroes were negotiators, intelligence officials, and humanitarian coordinators who inked and designed the nitty-gritty and the finer details of the blueprint. The real test now lies in adhering to the roadmap and monitoring compliance with the agreed-upon terms and conditions.
A Done Deal for Now
09-10 October, the world started getting news signals that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire. It entailed a multi-stage roadmap. First would be an end to hostilities. Next, an exchange of hostages and detainees. Another phase would see Israel retreat to some agreed lines. The second big-ticket item would be an internationally supervised process focused on the reconstruction of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. While the reconstruction appears doable, Hamas laying down arms appears both difficult and unrealistic.
For the world, it was a moment of huge, huge respite, however fragile it may sound and appear. As of now, the ceasefire, per se, seems to be holding on. The prisoner hostage exchange also went through without a glitch. Next comes the unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. This is a work in progress at the time of writing.
The Stabilisation Process
Soon after the ceasefire was announced, words like “international stabilisation force” began to gain traction in news stories. The peace deal also outlined a political / governance track that would supervise the process of disarming Hamas and overseeing the reconstruction efforts. There was talk of training and establishing a Palestinian Police Force. Indonesia, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan were eager to contribute troops.
However, the finer details remain undefined. How would the stabilisation be achieved, what would be the mandate, its command structure, and who would be in control? These questions remained unanswered. Side-lining Hamas completely would be both naïve and smack of a unilateral style of looking at the overall picture.
The Western Perspective
Most western analysts were sceptical of the entire deal. They believe that the true test of the agreement will come in the phases and stages that are set to unfold later. Those stages involve the long-term vision of a Palestinian state. How will Israel reconcile to that possibility? The role of Hamas, the right of return of refugees, the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, and, of course, the issue of Al-Quds / Jerusalem and the control of Al Aqsa Masjid, the 3rd holiest religious structure in the Islamic world. Some fear that if Hamas is not disarmed soon, it will facilitate its consolidation. Many acknowledge that while the ceasefire is a temporary reprieve from the genocide, it lacks mutual recognition or a shared vision and is silent on the long-term political framework of the Palestinian state. The success of the deal depends on the implementation of all phases in a consistent and credible manner.
The Muslim and Arab Perspective
Undoubtedly, the ceasefire has brought an end to the non-stop rain of aerial bombings and the forced displacement of the Gazans. The return of some of the Palestinian prisoners also provided some solace. The partial return of displaced families helps reunite thousands of families, allowing them to begin the process of recovering from the trauma of war.
The ceasefire deal has enhanced the stature of Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, who played an active role in inking and sealing the deal. This will enable them, along with other Muslim countries and regional powers, to exert greater influence over post-conflict arrangements.
The President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Syed Sadatullah Husaini, while commenting on the ceasefire, said, “The world must now ensure that this truce becomes the foundation of a comprehensive and just peace, not merely another pause before renewed devastation. Care must be taken to ensure that, in the name of supervision or stabilisation, unwanted foreign actors are not imposed on the Palestinian people. The administration of Gaza must reflect the will and aspirations of its own citizens.
“What is needed now is decisive, coordinated global action to rebuild homes, schools, and hospitals, and to restore life and dignity to this battered land. Every day of delay costs more innocent lives. We pray that this ceasefire marks the dawn of a lasting peace built on justice and equality. The people of Palestine have paid too high a price for the world’s silence; now it is time for humanity to stand firmly by them, for freedom, for truth, and for the moral survival of our age.”