War will continue in the region until the legitimate efforts of the Palestinian people for the recognition of their own country are successful. Because, the ceasefire this time also does not seem to be oriented towards solving the root of the problem.
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A ceasefire agreement has finally been reached between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The reason it is called 'finally' is that it reaffirms that any war can end through negotiation and agreement. Even there, when the war started 15 months ago, the advocates of world peace constantly tried to convey this truth.
The difference is, if the agreement had been reached at the beginning of the war, at least 48 thousand people would not have lost their lives. More than a lakh should not have been injured. More than 23 lakh should not have been displaced. There would be no incalculable loss of physical structure. However, the damage caused by the war will not come back.
Now the war victims are forced to look for the possibilities of life based on what is left. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to widen and facilitate that possibility as much as possible. Above all, a sincere commitment is needed to prevent the recurrence of such wars.
The agreement was reached on Thursday morning in the talks mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt in Doha, the capital of Qatar. It has been approved by the Israeli cabinet and the ceasefire will come into effect on Sunday. The ceasefire will have three phases.
In the first phase of the six-week period, Hamas will release 33 Israeli soldiers, women, children, the elderly and the wounded, held hostage, and Israel will begin withdrawing troops from Palestinian settlements. Palestinian repatriation will begin. Then the second and third phase will take place. But the challenge is to successfully complete the first phase. As this is a sensitive issue, peace advocates need to be extra active.
The last time the Palestinian group Hamas launched an unexpected attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, war broke out between the two sides. In the meantime, more than 1400 people have died in Israel. 46,788 Palestinians have died in Israeli retaliation. More than a third of them are children.
According to Palestinian officials, the number of children killed has exceeded 18,000. An estimated 17,000 children are missing or separated from caring family members. 100,000 were injured in the Israeli attack. More than 2.3 million have been displaced from the Gaza Strip. 60 percent of the structures there have been destroyed.
These and such statistics are not just notes of numbers. They are also signs of future danger. Those who have lost their family members, if their lives do not find a path of creative possibilities and opportunities, the chances of chanting the mantra of peace forever are very low. Children who have lost their parents are automatically deprived of affection.
The world will have to pay the price if their rights, from upbringing to education, are not progressed properly. Since so many children were killed in a span of 15 months, there is sure to be a demographic impact in the area in the future. Those who are injured may or may not recover. But if it keeps reminding the mind of the time of war, it can automatically flare up.
A family that has lost its members may also be forever vengeful. In other words, the destroyed material assets of Gaza will be rebuilt one day. But the mental alienation there, the tears of orphaned children, the separation of families, the spatter of blood, the adversity of the lack of vaccines to medicine, all these will bring the war to memory for years. Amidst all these backgrounds, a sincere effort is needed to establish lasting peace in that region from mental to border.
Israel has been announcing that it will end Hamas' military and governance capabilities in the Palestinian territories. But it was forced to recognize and agree with Hamas. The lesson it gives is that one cannot erase the identity of others just by being powerful. Only by respecting identity can one maintain peace around oneself.
You can also stay safe. This issue is most important to Israel and its allies, as well as Hamas. War will continue in the region until the legitimate efforts of the Palestinian people for the recognition of their own country are successful. Because, the ceasefire this time also does not seem to be oriented towards solving the root of the problem.
It will at most only serve to temporarily halt the horrendous damage rate currently occurring. Therefore, both Israel and Hamas accepting each other's existence is the main basis for solving the root of the problem. Mainly the international community should also be supportive to successfully solve the challenge of border management.
