The editors of the Washington Post call for an end to the fighting in Gaza:
After 21 months of devastating warfare, Israel and the terrorist group Hamas appear tantalizingly, frustratingly close to a ceasefire that could lead to the release of some Israeli hostages and a flow of desperately needed food and medical supplies into Gaza. But close is not a deal. We’ve been here before, only to see hoped-for ceasefires fall apart.
They say that the “outlines of a deal” are obvious.
The contours of a new ceasefire deal — and a permanent end to the conflict — are plain to see. In the first phase, a 60-day truce, Hamas needs to account for the 50 remaining Israeli hostages (some of whom are believed to be dead), and release at least half. Israel must release hundreds of Palestinians and let the United Nations and other international aid agencies into Gaza to start providing food, fresh water, cooking oil, infant formula, diapers, medicines and other essentials.
During the ceasefire, Hamas must be forced to accept — through Qatari and Egyptian mediators — that its reign of terror over Gaza’s population must end. Now might be a good time to coerce Hamas. The group’s main benefactor, Iran, has been weakened by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, and Israel has degraded Iran’s main regional proxy, Hezbollah.
I’m completely baffled by that. Such polling data as exists tells us that the majority of Gazans still support Hamas and blame Israel for, well, everything.
Other than the situation in Iran little has changed since October 8. Hamas continues to reject any ceasefire and is supported by Gazans. It continues to hold hostages including the population of Gaza. What is there for Hamas if its control over Gaza ends? How do they envision that Qatar and Egypt will “coerce” Hamas?
Why should Israel accept that Hamas remain in place, holding half of the remaining hostages? Showing mercy on the Gazans? It is to laugh.
My personal view remains the same: the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians remains a “wicked problem”. It has no solution acceptable to both parties and the role in it most favorable to the United States is sorrowful silence.
