Ceasefire and beyond

The 20-point Gaza peace plan that led to guns going silent and prisoners being exchanged between Hamas and Israel has rekindled hope for a lasting peace. This, however, has come after two years of bloodshed and destruction, an aspect declared by the world court as genocide on the part of Israel. Nonetheless, the fact that peace has been given a change, and a hard-laboured document by US President Donald Trump was able to see the light of the day is a welcome development. It is obvious that all stakeholders have climbed down from their stated positions, and kudos to Hamas for taking a backseat in its politico-military role in order to enable the 'peace deal' to go ahead. The ceasefire, supplemented by a trans-regional accord wherein the Arab world and Muslim states stepped in to guarantee a new beginning, should graduate to address the lingering issue of Palestinian statehood.

This is where perpetual peace rests in one of the most volatile regions of the world. It's time to implement the deal in letter and spirit; and Trump, by putting aside the euphoria, must work ardently for brokering a new order leading to realisation of a two-state solution. The future of Gaza and the West Bank as well as settlement of displaced Palestinians should not take a back seat. Capping Hamas has surely given breathing space to the Jewish state, and it is incumbent upon it to look at the bigger picture of reconciliation and engage with the Palestinian authorities for a land-based settlement.

At the same time, it should face retribution for the crimes committed against humanity, especially the genocide of hapless and unarmed Palestinians. Letting the criminals go off the hook and absolving Israel of war crimes would be tantamount to appeasement. A leaf from the post-WWI scenario proves that appeasing the warlords plunged the world into another destructive war affecting millions. The West and the Muslim world must join hands to restrict Israel well within its geography, and let security-scared neighbours have a sigh of relief.