The Gaza war has been going on for more than six months without any possibility of ending. According to multiple sources including the BBC and CNN, the Gaza war, which started in October last year, has by this time led to around 35 thousand deaths, the displacement of around two million Gazans and many other negative consequences. Given that the war does not end soon, there will be more casualties with a potential for famine in Gaza affecting more than a million — as is often warned by different international organizations including the United Nations — and other impacts. But ceasefire talks have not yet become promising, leading to concerns.
A pertinent aspect is whether a longer Gaza will bring any notable outcomes for ending the rivalry between Israel and Palestine. This is probably not at all. Hamas, which has already lost many of its members, may face further notable losses if the war continues for a long time. But it is unlikely to be disbanded altogether and enmity between Palestine and Israel will not end with continued war because of geopolitical and other factors. In one of the earlier Editor’s Letters published in Dhaka Opinion Magazine, I noted that the enmity would rather increase in the long run and there will be further attacks and counterattacks in the future between the countries given that the war remains unresolved. Additionally, the longer war will bring further disastrous consequences for the civilians of Gaza, who are already facing unprecedented troubles.
It is definitely desired that a ceasefire be reached between the two parties because of several outcomes including the release of hostages and prisoners, more access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and relief from continued attacks for at least a certain period. But there are conflicting interest driven and other challenges to reaching a ceasefire. While Israel wants the release of Hamas-held hostages through a ceasefire deal, there is an unwillingness of Hamas, which is sticking to its demands for a permanent ceasefire that include a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, for a temporary ceasefire with the former. But strengthened ceasefire efforts may help address the challenges and concerns and reach a ceasefire deal.
But the ceasefire alone will not lead to any good outcomes for long. Notably, the earlier week-long Doha Ceasefire, which released 105 Hamas-held Israeli hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, did not end civilian casualties and address the problem of delivering humanitarian aid. According to multiple sources, civilian casualties and Israel’s deliberate restrictions on humanitarian aid have increased since the end of the earlier ceasefire. There is, moreover, no guarantee that the ceasefire will ensure civilian safety in Gaza and end Israel’s humanitarian aid preventive efforts once it ends. Consequently, looking for a resolution of the war, along with a ceasefire deal, is also imperative — definitely.
For this, peace efforts also need to look beyond the ceasefire deal between the warring parties. It is definitely desired that steps be strengthened to end the Gaza war and seek sustainable peace. But international steps are crucial. Though the steps of the United States alone may not end the Gaza war, the ending of the war is less probable without its proactive role. Among others, the steps of the European Union are vital. But the good intentions of the parties involved are also crucial to resolving the Gaza war.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
