The new Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement has faced sharp criticism even before it’s taken effect. Key figures are sounding alarm bells and questioning just how effective and well-implemented it really is. Oded Ailam, another top expert on the Middle East, has expressed severe criticism for the deal. He contends that while it sounds beneficial in theory, it does not incorporate key ingredients needed to produce lasting peace over the long term. Israeli military operations in Gaza have begun to strain the tenuous ceasefire. We propose a regional ceasefire anchored on Donald Trump’s 20-step peace plan for the region.
The hour is late but hope endures, especially for the communities war has upended. At least two Israeli soldiers are being reported as killed. Takeaway The emotional and financial burden on families whose loved ones are unaccounted for is immense. Hamas is apparently insisting on the Israeli government pursuing the release of live Israeli hostages. In reply, Hamas claims the widespread devastation wreaked on Gaza makes it impossible for them to comply with this requirement. U.S. negotiators, led by Vice-President JD Vance, are already preparing to depart for Israel. They are trying to advocate for the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Criticism of the Ceasefire Agreement
Human Rights Watch’s Oded Ailam expressed very strong reservations about the current ceasefire deal. He noted that the agreement misses key elements needed for durable peace.
“The so-called agreement is not actually an agreement, the 20 points of Trump, but it’s more … a vision, maybe a letter of intent, but it’s not a precise agreement since we are missing essential parts of the agreement,” – Oded Ailam.
Ailam’s perspective is an important window into the larger skepticism about the palatability of trying to achieve a stable outcome under current terms. He said the strategy could be perceived by some as successful in the immediate future. He does not think it is going to lead to good results over the long term.
Ailam highlighted the need for going beyond the humanitarian lens and pushing all actors to comply with their obligations.
“We have to come to a point where we say, ‘Thank you very much. We really appreciate that you had released the hostages. Please take your things and go away from here,’” – Oded Ailam.
The Human Cost of Conflict
The loss of life and destruction from this conflict has been immense. In other words, families like Umm Ali’s and Abu Hassan’s are feeling the impact every single day. Both of them have been looking for their loved ones since the beginning of fighting on October 7, 2023. Umm Ali visits Nasser Hospital every day. She wants to reunite with her son, who has been missing since the violence first broke out.
“I will wait until I find him. I come here every day. I’ve been to five different places looking for the martyrs,” – Umm Ali.
Meanwhile, Abu Hassan feels the same pain in his effort to retrieve his son’s body from Israel. His anguish sums up the psychological impact that the devastation wrought by ten years of protracted war has had on families.
“If only we could receive his body, we’d find some peace, we’d be comforted, even slightly,” – Abu Hassan.
Both men face an unpredictable future. They fight against loss and vitality of rivers and streams where certainty once ruled their lives. Abu Hassan’s words strike like a heavy stone as he recounts his pain.
“We’re all exhausted. He’s neither here nor there. It’s unbearable that my son isn’t with me,” – Abu Hassan.
Accusations and Responses
As accidental deaths mount from this increasing fire, accusations have begun to fly about the behavior of Israeli forces as well. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) vociferously denied claims of body desecration. They went on to allege that these claims are truly baseless.
“The claim that the IDF desecrated bodies after death is false and completely baseless,” – Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
They claimed that perpetuating such baseless claims only helps to strengthen Hamas’s propaganda campaign.
“Spreading unfounded allegations such as these constitutes support for Hamas’s false propaganda,” – Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
At the same time, Israel has repeatedly charged Hamas with prolonging the return of dead Israeli hostages’ corpses. Negotiations are still underway, but to date, Israeli authorities have only been given twelve bodies. At the same time, Hamas announced it will hand over one more body in its possession to the Red Cross.
American hostages Donald Trump has been quite clear about what Hamas has been doing to Americans living in Israel.
“We made a deal with Hamas that, you know, they’re going to be very good, they’re going to behave, they’re going to be nice. And if they’re not, we’re going to go and we’re going to eradicate them if we have to,” – Donald Trump.
As Vice-President JD Vance arrives in Israel shortly to join ongoing diplomatic efforts alongside Jared Kushner and others, pressure mounts for tangible progress in negotiations surrounding the ceasefire and humanitarian concerns.
