Just a few months over a year ago, on October 7th, 2023, Hamas, a terror organization based in Gaza, invaded Israel without warning and without mercy. Over 1,200 people were murdered in their homes, on the streets, while running away. Additionally, around 250 hostages were taken. January 19 saw the first rays of hope this year of ending the Hamas-Israeli conflict. As of today, 47,000 people on both sides have been killed in the ancient conflict. But those numbers have a chance to finally stop rising with a new peace deal proposed by deal brokers from the US and Egypt. On January 15, the prime minister of Qatar said that a peace deal had been reached by Israel and Hamas. Putting a pause on the war. The plan includes a six-week ceasefire and three phases. The first phase is the release of prisoners and hostages. Already, 345 prisoners have been released by both sides. Now, many are optimistic in the war zone that this could be an end to the war. However, some evidence may point to this being only a temporary relief. Already some Israeli officials have accused Hamas as just using the ceasefire to regroup. Which, with some evidence, might be true. As for me, I believe this is a situation of extreme tension. If something goes wrong, if one public official step out of line, then a year of effort from deal brokers and leaders around the world could be for nothing. And this conflict could restart with a fierce vengeance unlike any that came before it.
Honestly, if you’re skeptical of the peace plan, it’s not misplaced. So am I. I don’t believe this peace has a good chance of lasting, especially given the history of the that region, conflict has always breaded well there. Particularly religious conflict. The three biggest religions of the world come from the middle east. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. There have been so many grievances and disagreements, be they petty or well founded. The officials of that region won’t hesitate to call the other side out on sometimes small matters. Words of accusation over the peace plan have already been shot. One Hamas leader accused Israel of falsely wanting peace and only agreeing to the peace plan to do the same. Israeli officials have accused Hamas of the same thing. Just looking at this, I don’t think this peace is something that will last, but it’s no reason to stop hoping it does. Hoping for change is the first step to achieving it. All we can do now is watch and wait.
