Arab Media Watch: Truce is a victory for a resilient Gaza

The truce between Gaza and Israel and the Lebanese army facing off against gunmen from Syria in the town of Arsal were the two topics that dominated headlines this week.

The UAE’s Al Bayan said that the Gaza-Israeli truce is being used by Israel as a way to pile pressure on the Palestinians and manipulate the international community.

“Previous announcements regarding ceasefires or truces were used before as a trap to kill more innocent Palestinian civilians. As Israel announces a truce or ceasefire, Palestinians flock to the streets to buy necessities such as food or water or visiting the wounded and inspecting the long list of the names of martyrs. Later, they are surprised by fierce air raids leading to the deaths and wounding of tens of Palestinians,” said the editorial.

“What is worrying is that Israel has recently announced a seven hour truce on humanitarian grounds, which excludes Rafah, the town in which Israel claims an Israeli soldier was kidnapped, only for various reports, including some from Tel Aviv, claiming that the soldier was killed due to an Israeli air raid on Rafah.

As Israel withdrew its soldiers from Gaza, Qatar’s Al Sharq called the truce a victory.

“The truce is like a victory because Israel failed to achieve any of its objectives. Israel was not able to stop the resistance from firing rockets that were launched at 10 Israeli cities a few minutes before the truce came into effect. Israel also failed to destroy Gaza’s network of tunnels that were used as time bombs to kill Israeli soldiers. If anything, Israel was only successful in doing one thing: Ruining its image before the international community, and being called a war criminal by various international organisations.

The editorial by Lebanon’s Daily Star discusses the action Lebanon needs to take following the attack by Syrian Gunmen on Arsal. “Events in Arsal over the weekend require an all-out effort by national leaders to contain the repercussions and move forward.

“All of the country’s political factions, religious leaders and civic organizations must stand firmly behind the army. The responses should be even-handed, so that a given community does not feel it is being singled out for retribution because of a situation that is largely beyond its control.

“But at a broader political level, the presidential vacancy continues to block Lebanon’s ability to react. Leading political factions must engage in talks. They must elect someone who can bridge the domestic divide by reaching out to all sides, and who enjoys a good reputation with regional and international powers,” concluded the editorial.

Oman’s Al Watan said that the Lebanese army is fighting a crucial battle. “There is a belief that Hezbollah, which remains at the core, will not allow the area to fall to the hands of these terrorists. It is clear that the Lebanese army has garnered widespread support among the population and parties during its operations, and everyone is looking to the battle and praying for the army’s victory, considering what might happen to Lebanon if these groups are able to achieve their objectives.

“What is certain is that these groups will never be welcomed in Lebanon, whose sects, parties and intellectuals are all standing firmly behind the army, and will join the fight if necessary. Such a unified stand by the Lebanese people proves that they are very well aware of the danger posed by these groups that threaten their nation, social unity and future.