(Credit: Christian Aid/Omar Al-Qattaa)
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, a move welcomed by aid organizations Tearfund and Christian Aid. However, these groups caution that without a sustainable peace framework, the region may face renewed hostilities in the future.
The truce was successfully mediated by US President Donald Trump and received approval from the Israeli cabinet. This agreement entails the withdrawal of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) units to designated positions and allows for a more unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The prolonged conflict, spanning two years, has led to allegations against Israel from aid groups concerning the manipulation of aid as a wartime strategy. Extensive destruction has swept across Gaza, with some areas experiencing severe food shortages.
Casualty reports indicate that over 80,000 individuals, predominantly civilians, have lost their lives in Gaza.
A pivotal element of the ceasefire involves the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Hamas is expected to release hostages kidnapped on 7 October 2023, following an attack that resulted in thousands of Israeli civilian deaths and provoked a harsh retaliation by Israel. In turn, Israel will release Palestinian detainees.
Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s regional director for the Middle East, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “Tearfund welcomes news of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, but it’s only the beginning and it must be followed by immediate action.
“Israel must allow a flood of aid to enter Gaza freely and the hostages must be allowed home. The international community must ensure that both parties are held to the agreement and that the ceasefire turns into a lasting peace.
“For the millions of people who’ve endured relentless bombardment and conflict, a ceasefire must not be just a pause, it must lead to lasting peace. It cannot be enough just for people in the region to exist without immediate fear of death; life in all its fullness must be restored.”
Echoing these views, William Bell, Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy at Christian Aid, remarked, “Returning to the old status quo will doom Palestinians and Israelis to more tragedy.”
This ongoing conflict is part of a series of Israeli-Palestinian confrontations. Since 2008, Gaza has witnessed four significant military engagements, with the current one being the deadliest.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
