The world took a collective sigh of partial relief as an exchange of Israeli and Palestinian hostages ensued. But this is just the beginning, as there are so many issues still unresolved. After months of hostility and resilience, when only a fraction of food was delivered to starving Gaza civilians, trucks could now be seen entering Gaza. Previously both medical supplies and food were prevented from reaching the desperate and wounded. According to a current report by Deutsche Welle (DW), as confirmed by Reuters, Israeli authorities would allow a maximum of 300 trucks to enter Gaza. This represents 50 % of the number of trucks agreed upon. However, it is still a step forward.
There have been ceasefire talks before…could this one be for real?
While the ceasefire agreement continues, there is still the question of not all bodies being returned, possibly because they could not be found; however, this could be considered a breach. A BBC current report reflects that Israeli military confirmed that bodies of four more deceased hostages were handed to Red Cross in Gaza; it is hoped that more will be found and returned. At the same time, it is reported that Israel will not reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Â and subsequently, reduce the flow of aid into the territory.
Hamas made it clear that it would not completely relinquish control
As reported by the Guardian correspondents in Jerusalem, this is in retaliation to Hamas, accused of breaching an agreement (based on the White House 20 point peace plan) by withholding bodies of Israeli hostages. This adds fuel to the smouldering fire of the tenuous peace talks and already fragile ceasefire agreements. There have been ceasefire talks before…could this one be for real? And what is the way forward for Israel-Hamas and Gaza?
Trump’s 20 point peace plan has moved through its first phases – here are extracts and a summary of the peace plan (adapted from ABC news and Aljazeera reports):
- An immediate ceasefire – meaning an end to all military operations.
- An exchange of hostages and prisoners, living and deceased – this process has commenced. A deadline of 72 hours was given, and the first exchanges were predictably emotional for all parties.
- Amnesty for Hamas members, as long as they agreed to peaceful co-existence and the absence of arms.
- Humanitarian aid resumed – this has commenced with trucks currently visibly entering Gaza, although humanitarian aid workers have complained to ABC news that challenges remained due to damaged roads and limitations by Israeli authorities on the amount of aid allowed. As mentioned earlier, a maximum of 350 trucks would be allowed into the strip.
- Gaza would be temporarily governed by an apolitical Palestinian committee – reconstruction would begin under this interim governance.
- A committed and specialised economic zone would be established as part of rebuilding.
- Demilitarisation would ensue, with military factions having to step down.
- The Palestinian Authority would regain and resume governance.
While Hamas made it clear that it would not completely relinquish control, a criticism of the plan, as outlined in an Al Jazeera report, is that it  focuses mainly on Gaza, but a detailed roadmap for complete Palestinian statehood remains missing. Another concern is that the plan appears to be slanted towards an Israeli position. While Netanyahu has claimed to be committed to peace, at Trump’s recent visit to Tel Aviv, those in areas marked as war zones wait anxiously for clean water, medicine and food.
In the meantime, on 14th October, sources at al-Ahli Arab Hospital confirmed that at least five Palestinians had been killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza City. The latter, as well as the fact that all bodies had not been returned to Gaza as yet, causes more speculation and caution.
As families of released hostages almost hysterically celebrate reunions, there remain scars from the past, and sighs of uncertainty.
