The suffering in Gaza has been so intense that people are bound to be overjoyed at the news that a permanent ceasefire has been agreed between Hamas and Israel. It is to be hoped that the ceasefire will stick and violence will stop.
The entire Arab region and others around the world will unite in helping to rebuild Gaza and in trying to give the 1.8 million Gazans some hope of a return to normal life. They need aid in massive amounts and as soon as possible because Israel has done so much to destroy homes, factories, utilities and has left the Strip in rubble.
But for this ceasefire to achieve anything in the long term, there needs to be an underlying trust between Israel and Hamas that simply does not exist. Without any willingness to reach out to each other the deal will fail and there will be yet another murderous assault.
It is impossible to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has changed its mind, as this is the same government that has killed more than 2,100 Gazans without any hint of worry.
And it is the same government that has unilaterally announced that it will retain all security control over the West Bank, totally disregarding the Palestinian National Authority and giving the embarrassed Fatah politicians yet more reason to regret their peace deal with Tel Aviv — one that the latter has no intention of honouring. Of course, it is welcome that the Egyptians and Israelis will ease their blockade of Gaza, but it should be removed rather than relaxed.
It is also dangerous that the immediate deal does not give Hamas the right to build its own port, since any further discussions will allow Israel another opportunity to wreck Gazan hopes by finding as yet undisclosed problems with Hamas’ behaviour. Looking further ahead, it is now urgent that Hamas and Fatah restart their reunification so that Palestinians can live under one united government.
After reunification, the government should seek a new popular mandate as soon as possible, and rebuild a clear sense of Palestinian political direction. The Palestinians need a transparent and honest government that can expose the Israelis for the frauds that they are and seek international support for a stable and just peace.
