Gaza War Pause: Hope or Prelude To Final Genocide

Ishtiaq Ahmed

London: We are into the second day of the temporary four-day pause in the war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza. Qatar mediated the temporary pause.

Part of this fragile truce deal is for Hamas to release 50 held Israeli hostages in return for Israel releasing almost equal numbers of Palestinian prisoners. The first batch of exchanges took place yesterday (Friday), and another followed today (Saturday). Hostages released by Hamas, mainly children and the elderly, are reported to be in good health.

Thus far, a total of 39 Palestinian detainees have been released from Israeli prisons. Of these 39 released Palestinian prisoners, 24 women and 15 teenagers were held in Israeli prisons for minor offences, for example, throwing back tear gas canisters used by Israeli troops.

The prisoners were chosen from a list of 300 women and minors compiled by Israel. It is very much hoped that the ceasefire will continue and the killings in Gaza will stop. But, for the time being, this remains a distant hope when Netanyahu has already stated that the Israeli war on Gaza will not stop until the Hamas capitulation and destruction are completed.

The truce deal also included the supply of essential life provisions to reach people in Gaza who have been denied food, water, medical care, and fuel since the start of the present phase of the war on October 7.

While the truce deal is in its second day, Israel has reported a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon towards an Israeli drone, prompting air strikes on Hezbollah targets in return.

It is to be noted that there is no directly agreed truce between Hezbollah and Israel; however, both sides have indicated that they will abide by it for as long as the Gaza truce is sustained.

The provision of humanitarian aid to reach people in Gaza being starved of life essentials is welcomed, but the cynics describe it as “feed before slaughter, as Netanyahu only agreed to it to relieve pressure at home and abroad. His sincerity is not trusted.

The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.