That ‘day after’ question: Experts imagine possible future of Israelis and Palestinians after Gaza crisis ends
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Roshan Amiri
- . May 8, 2024
- . Update: May 8, 2024 6:49 pm
The brutal Israel-Hamas fighting has been raging on since October 7. On Monday, thousands of people left eastern neighbourhoods of Gaza’s Rafah as the Israeli military instructed them to move to a “humanitarian zone” to avoid being harmed in an imminent attack on the city.
Then Hamas, after days of stalling, accepted terms for a ceasefire brought by mediators. Hours later, Israel announced its readiness to participate in a fresh round of truce talks but that the conditions of an agreement were still far from decided.
Finally, after airstrikes overnight, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) sent armoured vehicles to take control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Tuesday. The move has let Israel be in charge of a key entry and exit point.
Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire deal. Details here
Media reports suggest that at the heart of the ceasefire deal accepted by Hamas is an exchange of hostages seized by the group during its attack on Israel on October 7 for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Probably, there would be an initial 42-day ceasefire, followed by a couple of extensions of a similar duration if both sides respect the deal. Israeli restrictions on relief supplies would be lifted too and the supply of basic utilities restored.
Drafted primarily by Egyptian and Qatari officials, the latest ceasefire agreement is expected to bind both parties to eventually ensure a “sustainable calm”. It is important as the raging fighting has already claimed some 1,200 lives in Israel and more than 34,000 in Palestine.
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‘Day after’ for Israel and Palestine
The quest for a ceasefire in Gaza to bring an end to the humanitarian catastrophe has been so intense that it is easy to pay less attention to a deeper issue: the “day after” question or the possible future of Israelis and Palestinians.
Both Israelis and Palestinians deserve a future devoid of violence. Let’s consider the elements that can provide a reasonable settlement of the ongoing conflict, such as security for Israel and a better future for Gazans. These goals are in reach if leaders act sensibly.
Nonetheless, the most urgent requirement at the moment is to rescue tens of thousands of Palestinians from the famine and devastation of seven months. Humanitarian assistance in Gaza has increased sharply in recent days, but much more is needed.
