A sixty-day truce between Israel and Hamas is promising. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, the US administration, along with Qatar, offered a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and has been mediating peace between Israel and Hamas for months. Hopefully saying, Israel agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip — though it has not yet publicly endorsed the plan — and Hamas has positively responded to the proposal, increasing the chance of reaching a ceasefire deal soon. The proposed ceasefire plan is a positive development and can help end the Gaza war, which has so far killed more than 56000 Gazans, along with 1200 Israelis.
There are various positive aspects of the proposed ceasefire plan. The plan includes that all Israeli military operations would stop once the deal takes effect and puts emphasis on stronger assurances about the US’s commitment to keeping Israel at the negotiating table to reach a permanent ceasefire deal, which is crucial to end the Gaza war and deaths in Gaza, along with a phased release of Israeli captives and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. Pertinently saying, more than 20 are still thought to be alive among approximately 50 hostages remaining in captivity and there are shortages of humanitarian aid to the affected Gazans including food aid, even if such supplies sometimes increase. Amongst the others, the ceasefire proposal that has come shortly after Israel ordered evacuations in northern Gaza ahead of intensified military action also includes a roadmap for post-war governance in Gaza.
But there remain various challenges to reaching and maintaining the ceasefire — even if it is reached — between the parties. The two warring parties have several differing interests. While Hamas prefers talks on a permanent ceasefire to be continued until an agreement is reached, Israel prefers no change in the draft ceasefire deal. But, positively saying, the current ceasefire proposal has increasingly focused on and has an increased chance of reaching a permanent solution to the war. But, amongst the others, the proposed ceasefire plan does not resolve the differing interests of the withdrawal of the Israeli military from positions held before 19 January. Consequently, uncertainty remains somewhat over whether serious negotiations will lead to relief.
Photo credit: https://edition.cnn.com/.
But, importantly, it remains unclear whether the ceasefire will remain unviolated and whether it will bring more devastating consequences for Palestinians, instead of negotiations for a permanent end to the war, after the ceasefire ends. The intensity of unilateral attacks has increased many times. The new ceasefire proposal itself, even if it is promising and there are the US’s assurances of keeping Israel at the talks, will probably not guarantee these, unless the US administration remains stricter on a solution. Pertinently saying, the promising Three-stage Ceasefire, reached in January 2025, was violated and ended, leading to more casualties of the Palestinians in the last several months and regular attacks in Gaza by Israel.
But the ceasefire alone is also not enough to address other concerns involved in the Gaza war and its impacts on the Gazans — even if the deal is reached. Pertinently saying, humanitarian aid including food supplies to the affected people has yet to be ensured as desired and there are various complaints of open fires at Palestinians seeking food at the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. While many aid-receiving Gazans have been fired and killed, there is a lack of the amount of aid needed. It is consequently vital to make sure that attacks on aid recipients and the blockade of humanitarian supplies are ended.
Given that the potential ceasefire has the possibility of better outcomes and increased chance of peace in the Gaza Strip, the advancement of the parties especially Israel and Hamas is desired on the proposed deal. A permanent end to the war will help reach peace on the ground. But assurances alone will not lead to a permanent end to the war. Efforts are needed to hold talks during the ceasefire to end the Gaza war.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
