A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas. US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire. After the implementation of the first phase of the agreement, the Zionist state will not attack Gaza again. Under the agreement, there will be a partial withdrawal of the occupying forces from Gaza.
As soon as the agreement was announced, thousands of citizens took to the streets across Palestine, including Gaza. There was a sense of celebration throughout Palestine. In Israel, families of prisoners also took to the streets and danced happily. On the other hand, Israeli right-wing extremist Minister Itmar Ben-Gweir has issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that if Hamas is not completely eliminated, his party will vote to topple the government.
A moment of calm has finally dawned in the complex and long-running conflict in the Middle East. The initial ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, is not only a ray of hope for the people of Gaza, but is also seen as a new step towards peace for the entire world. In a region that has been a hotbed of blood, gunfire and destruction for decades, if the parties agree on an agreement, it would undoubtedly be a historic development.
The ceasefire announcement by US President Donald Trump and its confirmation by Qatar have given the deal international backing. Hamas has also explicitly described it as an end to the full-scale war. The deal not only guarantees a halt to the ongoing attacks on Gaza, but also includes provisions such as the delivery of humanitarian aid, prisoner exchanges, and a partial withdrawal of occupying forces.
The daily passage of 600 aid trucks into Gaza is a major humanitarian breakthrough. The release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including more than 250 serving life sentences, in exchange for 20 Israelis held by Hamas is a swap rarely seen in the past. The deal sparked a wave of joy across Palestine, with celebrations, chants, tears of joy in the streets, and the joy of the prisoners’ families in Israel. However, this hopeful scenario also raises some questions.
The biggest question is whether this ceasefire will prove to be lasting or just a temporary pause like in the past? Because the ink on the agreement had not yet dried when Israeli airstrikes again martyred 29 Palestinians. This is a clear argument that the implementation of the agreement should not be limited to just paper, but its effects must also be seen on the ground.
The deal has also sparked intense internal strife in Israeli politics. Israeli hardline minister Itmar Ben-Governor has openly threatened Prime Minister Netanyahu that his party will leave the government if Hamas is not completely eliminated. His stance is not only shaking up Israel's domestic politics, but is also sending a message internationally that Israel's internal divisions could sabotage any peace deal.
Qatar and the US guaranteeing the implementation of the agreement, Turkey's indication of joining the task force, and Egypt's hosting prove that this time the world powers are ready to participate in practice rather than just playing the role of spectators on the Palestinian issue. US President Donald Trump's recent statements that Iran also now wants peace are a surprising and noteworthy thing.
Trump's statement that "the war is over" is more than a slogan, if it turns into reality, it will also be a significant achievement for his presidential politics. Hamas leaders have also called the agreement a milestone for the Palestinian people's long-standing right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state. Hussam Badran said that the world has now recognized the fact that the Palestinian people have the right to live in freedom and dignity on their land.
This statement reflects the changing atmosphere of global public opinion on the one hand, and on the other hand, it also indicates a positive change in Hamas's behavior. As a result of this peace agreement, the process of disarming Hamas and determining the contours of the Gaza government is still pending, but the initial presentation of a list of 40 names by Palestinian factions to take over the administration of Gaza is an indication that Palestinian political currents have now become serious about national unity.
The conspiracies of the extremist class within Israel, Netanyahu's weak political position, and Trump's political maneuvering in the context of the US elections, all together raise question marks over the future of this agreement. The world stands at a critical juncture. After the devastation of Gaza, thousands of displaced people, and horrific loss of life, there is now a faint glimmer of hope on the path to a peace agreement, but the greatest threat on this path are the extremist forces that will not let the dream of peace slip away.
Their conspiracies, their attempts to undermine the resolutions left vague in the folds of the agreement, will certainly be on the rise. It is a sobering fact that the path to peace is not easy. History itself tells us that every peace agreement, whether partial or complete, has been met with opposition from extremist elements. When we look at the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, such as after the Oslo Accords, some groups did not accept this process and tried to undermine the agreement through suicide attacks and terrorist acts.
The peace agreement that is still under discussion today is a test for these same powers. To think that the consent of Israel and Hamas alone is sufficient is a complete misunderstanding. During implementation, many issues will arise on which disagreements or contradictions may arise. The success of this agreement depends not only on the intentions of the two parties but also on third and fourth factors such as the Arab countries of the region, world powers, Western countries and the United Nations. This is not just a matter of military and diplomatic maneuvers, it also has a moral and humanitarian background.
The big question here is this: Will the recent agreement, which includes a first-phase ceasefire and prisoner exchange, become an opportunity for extremists to sabotage? The answer is “yes,” and if we are not careful, that is what could happen. That is why it is essential that every clause of the agreement be linked to a transparent, regular, and periodic review system. International institutions, Arab countries, the European Union, the United States, Russia, and China must form a framework for joint monitoring.
The United Nations and its Security Council must play an active role to ensure that no party evades its responsibility. In addition, the dream of establishing a Palestinian state is not just a statement of words, but requires practical plans and phased implementation. The success of the agreement will be when Gaza and the West Bank come under a unified state, when their government receives international recognition and financial, administrative and security support. If any country or power tries to undermine the integrity of this agreement, international pressure should be applied to it. All kinds of military, financial, political or communication interference should be condemned and a joint effort should be made to ensure that they do not become an obstacle to the agreement.
To the extent possible, the parties should be brought before the International Court of Justice, the Human Rights Commission and other legal forums so that any act of violation of the agreement can be legally responded to. To say that implementing a peace agreement is easy would be cruel. But to say that it is impossible would be unfair. Human history has taught us that the path to reconciliation is difficult but possible, if there is good will, consistent compliance and global cooperation. If the world is truly sincere, it must not only sign the agreement, but also take practical steps to protect it, implement it and develop it.
The Palestinian people have written stories of patience and sacrifice. They have the right to live as a free, sovereign and dignified state. It is our duty to not let their voice be silenced, to stand by them in making their dream of self-determination a reality, and to stop the mudslinging actions of extremists. Peace is not just a decision, but a continuous serious struggle. If everyone takes it together, then Palestine can become a free, sovereign and peaceful state in the future, and that day will undoubtedly be visible.