A Treaty or a Mirage?

Few conflicts in modern history are as deeply rooted and fiercely debated as the struggle between Israelis and Palestinians—a decades-long saga of land, identity, and competing narratives that evoke deep emotions, fuel global debates, and remain unresolved despite decades of negotiations and struggle. However, it seems that this ages-long conflict that had finally burst into a climax in 2021 finally resolves into a peaceful treaty as Israel ceasefire and leaves Palestine alone at last on January 19, 2025. The agreement was mediated by the USA, Egypt and Qatar and intends to bring a permanent end to hostilities and facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners. It may all seem very fairy-tale and is a plot to get the world to think of Israel as the 'knight in shining armour' but is it just a coincidence that it seemed to happen right around the time Trump regained his gilded throne as the president of the united states? Can it be that Israel was somehow coerced into signing the treaty, driven into submission by USA’s very public threats and pressure. Or it may just be that simple and Israel really just grew tired of the shootings and decided to have mercy a hair’s breadth away from victory.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is structured around a three-stage plan, with each phase lasting 42 days. Phase one including the a temporary cessation of military operations, the release of 33 Israeli hostages , and Israel's release of 30-50 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage. Israeli forces have decided to withdraw from populated areas to the edge of Gaza, allowing for increased humanitarian aid and the return of the frantic displaced Palestinians to their homes. All three phases shall be connected for in the 2nd phase the negotiations taken place during the first phase will determine the terms of the second phase, which includes a declaration of "sustainable calm" with a permanent cessation of military operations, the exchange of all remaining Israeli male hostages for a negotiated number of Palestinian prisoners and Israel’s decision to withdraw forces from Gaza. The final phase, that concludes this everlasting and tragic war, involves the exchange of mortal remains, the opening of border crossings for movement in and out of Gaza, and the implementation of a reconstruction plan for Gaza.

While Trump and Biden, both claim credit for the ceasefire deal, Trump asserting that his previous policies laid the groundwork for this agreement, while Biden highlighted his administration's continuous diplomatic efforts during his term, the impact of this agreement on the daily life of Gaza goes expectedly sideway as the over half a million people that had crossed from southern to northern Gaza face the disruption of a lack of clean water or basic services with most houses destroyed and people intending to set up tents on the rubble of their former neighbourhoods. Along with the constant intervention of the US government who feel that it's their moral duty to care for the Israelis and Palestinians  like their report taht states that the ceasefire  is allowing for a significant scaling up of humanitarian aid in Gaza, including to the north with over 60% of homes and 65% of roads having been destroyed. They feel the transmission of infectious diseases has massively increased, malnutrition is rising, and the risk of famine persists. As we, the audience and a part of the pitiful society, watch the ultimate impact of this ceasefire, it remains uncertain whether this truly is a new chapter for the people of Gaza, or will the same cycle of violence and suffering resume once the ink on the treaty has dried?