Gaza ceasefire comes into effect; Israel, Palestinians lay down arms

Palestinians militants and Israel reach the much-awaited truce on Saturday, both the factions have decided on a ceasefire that comes into effect on today putting an end to the five month old continuous fighting in the Jewish state. As per the truce, both factions will stop all rocket attacks and suicide bombings, back and forth, and will work collectively to chalk out a roadmap resuming the halted peace talks; that started in Cairo early last year.

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas promised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that the Palestinian factions would halt all attacks on Israel and expect the same from its ally. Israel has withdrawn all its troops from Gaza strip and has stopped all its military operations in a hope to restore peace in the region.

How long will the truce last?

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has come forward for the first time to restore peace in the region, but only for six months. If the talks with Israel fail with respect to a Palestinian state in Gaza and on the West Bank of the Jordan River, they have threatened to resume attacks.

The motive behind the truce

1. Apparently, in the wake of the ceasefire, Palestinian President is planning to re-establish a moderate government and hold back the reigns from Islamic Hamas radicals. Moreover, Abbas is hopeful of convincing the West and Israel to lift economic sanctions too.

2. There is little hope that the ceasefire will bring out anything positive. Reason being, Palestinian President's efforts to form a new pro-Israel government would never be acceptable to Hamas.

3. Hamas' share in the new moderate government with Fatah would determine how Israel trust and accept the conditions put-forth with respect to the disputed territory.

4. Both the factions have been reluctant to prisoner swap until date and if it's done, it'll be a major breakthrough. It's unbelievable that the kidnapped Israeli soldier, that triggered the conflict, is still in the captivity of Hamas militants and both factions are ready to go ahead with the peace process. Anyway, it's a positive sign.

5. Hamas's anti-west and anti-Israeli policy too has worsened the situation and we still have to see how readily they shed it and help end violence once for all.

It's a great opportunity for all the parties involved and should not be missed, however, the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would only determine how far the leaders are ready to sacrifice and give peace a chance.

However, all seem to be reluctant to do, as Palestinian militants fired rockets just after both the parties accepted the ceasefire. Is this they call ceasefire?

Via: The Age