Why Doubts on Gaza peace deal & it’s sustainability
By Dr Ashraf Chohan
Chief Editor Daily Rapid Lahore
The difficulties in achieving a lasting peace deal in Gaza are numerous and stem from a combination of historical grievances, political complexities, and ongoing tensions. Here are some of the primary challenges:
Fragmented Palestinian Leadership
Divisions Between Factions:m The Palestinian political landscape is deeply divided, primarily between Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Fatah, which controls the West Bank. This division makes it challenging to have a unified Palestinian position in peace negotiations. Hamas’s resistance to recognizing Israel and its insistence on armed struggle contrast with Fatah’s more moderate stance, complicating efforts to reach a consensus on peace terms.
Hamas’ Ideology and Israel’s Security Concerns
Hamas’ Charter and Military Wing: Hamas has historically called for the destruction of Israel and refuses to recognise its right to exist. This ideological stance makes it difficult for Israel to engage with Hamas as a partner in peace. Furthermore, Hamas maintains a significant military wing that continues to launch rocket attacks into Israel, further escalating tensions.
Israel’s Security:
Israel’s primary concern is ensuring its security, particularly from rocket attacks and militant activities originating from Gaza. Any peace deal would need to include robust security guarantees that Hamas would disarm or cease its military activities, which Hamas has been unwilling to do.
Blockade and Economic Conditions
Israeli-Egyptian Blockade: Gaza has been under a blockade by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took control in 2007. This blockade restricts the flow of goods, people, and resources into Gaza, leading to severe economic hardship. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, characterized by high unemployment, poverty, and lack of basic services, fuels resentment and violence, making peace more difficult.
Economic Rebuilding: Even if a peace deal were reached, significant investment and rebuilding efforts would be required to address Gaza’s economic challenges. Without economic improvements, peace is unlikely to be sustainable.
Political Pressure on Both Sides
Internal Israeli Politics:
Israeli leaders face significant pressure from hardline elements within their government and society who oppose concessions, such as the withdrawal from territories or easing of the blockade. This makes it difficult for Israeli leaders to make the necessary compromises for peace.
Hamas’ Need to Maintain Support:
Hamas derives much of its support from its opposition to Israel and its role as a resistance movement. Making significant concessions could weaken its position among Gazans and lead to a loss of support or even challenges from more radical factions.
Humanitarian Concerns and Civilian Casualties
Impact of Military Operations: Israeli military operations in Gaza, have led to significant civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure. This cycle of violence perpetuates anger and resentment on both sides, making it harder to build trust and negotiate peace.
Humanitarian Crises:
The ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, including shortages of food, medicine, and clean water, create a volatile environment that hinders peace efforts. Addressing these crises is critical, but doing so within the framework of ongoing conflict is challenging.
External Influence and Regional Dynamics
Iran’s Support for Hamas: Iran provides financial and military support to Hamas, which for Israel complicates peace efforts. Iran’s involvement in Gaza is part of its broader regional strategy, which often conflicts with the interests of Israel and some Arab states that might otherwise support peace initiatives.
Regional Instability:
The broader instability in the Middle East, including conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and beyond, affects the dynamics in Gaza. Regional actors, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, have their own interests in Gaza, which can both help and hinder peace efforts.
Lack of Trust and Confidence
Cycle of Broken Ceasefires: Numerous ceasefires have been agreed upon and then broken over the years, leading to a lack of trust between the parties. Each side doubts the other’s commitment to any long-term agreement, making negotiations fraught with suspicion.
Historical Grievances:
The long history of conflict, including multiple wars, displacement of populations, and mutual hostilities, has left deep scars. Addressing these historical grievances requires a level of reconciliation that is difficult to achieve amidst ongoing violence.
Global and International Community’s Role
Inconsistent International Pressure:
The international community has often been inconsistent in its approach to the Gaza conflict, with varying levels of support or pressure on the involved parties. For a peace deal to succeed, sustained and balanced international involvement is necessary, but this has been difficult to achieve due to competing global interests.
Humanitarian Aid and Development:
While humanitarian aid is crucial, the international community needs to focus on long-term development and state
Achieving long-term peace between Israel and Palestine is a complex and challenging goal, but it is not entirely out of reach. Several factors and conditions would need to be addressed for a sustainable peace to be possible. These include:
Political Will and Leadership
Commitment to Peace: Both Israeli and Palestinian leadership would need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to a peaceful resolution. This includes willingness to make difficult compromises and resist pressures from hardline factions within their own societies.
Stable Governments:
Both sides require stable political leadership capable of negotiating and implementing agreements. In the past, instability or changes in leadership have disrupted peace efforts.
Resolution of Core Issues
Borders and Settlements:
A mutually agreed-upon solution regarding borders, particularly regarding the status of the West Bank and the future of Israeli settlements, is crucial. This might involve land swaps or other creative solutions.
Jerusalem:
The status of Jerusalem, a city of religious and cultural significance to both Jews and Palestinians, remains one of the most contentious issues. A potential solution could involve shared sovereignty or international oversight.
Refugees:
Addressing the right of return for Palestinian refugees, a key demand for Palestinians, while also considering Israel’s demographic concerns, will require careful negotiation.
Security Guarantees:
Any peace agreement must ensure the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. This includes preventing future violence and ensuring that any peace deal is enforceable and respected by all parties, including various militant groups.
International Support and Mediation
International Mediation:
Third-party mediation by international actors, such as the United States, the European Union, or the United Nations, can help facilitate negotiations and provide guarantees for the implementation of agreements.
Regional Cooperation:
Support from neighboring Arab states, many of which have normalized relations with Israel in recent years, could be crucial. These states could play a role in encouraging Palestinian factions to negotiate and supporting the economic development of a future Palestinian state.
Economic Development
Economic Opportunities: Peace will be more sustainable if it is accompanied by economic development in the Palestinian territories. This would involve improving infrastructure, creating jobs, and fostering trade relations, which could reduce poverty and diminish the appeal of extremist groups.
Public Opinion and Reconciliation
Public Support for Peace:
Both Israeli and Palestinian populations would need to support a peace agreement. This requires addressing narratives of victimhood and fostering mutual understanding and reconciliation through education, dialogue, and cultural exchanges.
Addressing Trauma and Injustice:
For peace to be lasting, there needs to be acknowledgment and redress of historical grievances, such as the experiences of refugees and the impact of the occupation on Palestinians. Truth and reconciliation processes, like those seen in other post-conflict societies, might play a role.
Dealing with Extremism
Countering Extremism:
Both sides would need to address and reduce the influence of extremist groups and ideologies that oppose peace. This might involve security measures, but also broader social and educational efforts to promote tolerance and coexistence.
Legal and Institutional Frameworks
Legal Agreements:
A long-term peace agreement would need to be underpinned by robust legal frameworks that address issues like water rights, security cooperation, and the rights of minorities within both Israel and a future Palestinian state.
Institution Building:
For a future Palestinian state to be viable, it will require strong institutions that can govern effectively, enforce laws, and provide services to its population.
Conclusion
Long-term peace between Israel and Palestine is possible, but it requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the complex and interrelated issues at the heart of the conflict. This includes political compromises, economic development, and social reconciliation. While the challenges are significant, history shows that even deeply entrenched conflicts can be resolved through sustained diplomacy, mutual recognition, and the willingness to build a shared future.
Israel has upper hand in the war. Palestinian have so many deaths and destruction. Moving on from here needs willingness for peace and co-existence.
