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A smart strategy or just a breather?

The fight has rested for now, but people are questioning if this deal is good for both sides in the long run?
10:06 PM Jan 26, 2025 IST | Sharif Hussain Khan
a smart strategy or just a breather
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The new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is now a major subject of discussion. The agreement was finalized after months of ongoing talks, with the help from United States through Egyptian and Qatari mediators. And before the President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, of the instant year. This agreement matters greatly not only to Gaza and Israel but also to the whole Middle East and is of great importance across the globe.

The fight has rested for now, but people are questioning if this deal is good for both sides in the long run or not? We’ll look at this ceasefire, what it aims to do, what it’s done so far, and what it might mean later.

What Israel wants vs. what’s happening

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Israel’s goal was to take apart Hamas’ military setup, aiming to wipe out its fighting skills for good. Israel says it has wiped out 18 of 24 Hamas units, but we can’t check if this is true. Also, 14,000 fighters have been taken out from a group that’s thought to have 40,000 members. Even with big losses, Hamas still has a working chain of command letting it run spread-out operations and keep fighting back. Hamas’ ability to keep going makes Israel’s claim of a big military win look shaky. This partial success shows how hard it is to fight an enemy that can change and doesn’t have a central leader.

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Israel wanted Hamas to free all hostages with no strings attached. It didn’t want to give up any of its key advantages. The agreement led to the release of 33 hostages out of 96. 34 captives are now known to be dead while no one is aware about what happened to the rest. In return, Israel let go of between 900 and 1,650 Palestinian prisoners, including the people that have been locked up since October 2023. Talking things out and letting go of important prisoners has made Israel’s strong position weaker. This give-and-take hurts its story of never backing down against terrorism.

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Israel wanted to take full control of the disputed region Gaza to ensure safety and peace in the long run. The terms of the truce call for a step- by-step pull-out of troops from key spots but don’t set clear rules for security after the conflict. This gap makes it more likely that Hamas will gain power again in areas where troops leave. Israel’s failure to keep control for good raises worries about ongoing unrest and the chance that fighting might start up again.

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Israel planned to show it had much more military power to stop Hamas from attacking in the future. Even though Israel caused many deaths, Hamas is still working and matters in politics. The group has gotten world attention and power in talks, keeping its image strong with those who back it.

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The war has killed more than 46,500 Palestinians and wrecked Gaza’s buildings. These numbers show how much people and property suffer when fighting goes on for a long time. The world is watching Israel more for what it’s doing in Gaza. More people are speaking out about helping civilians, and fewer countries are standing by Israel. This makes it harder for Israel to get others to back its security goals. Hamas has shown it can hold out, which gives it more power when talking. This shakes up Israel’s story about the war. Now, Israel needs to think again about how it deals with this problem.

Main Highlights

The difficulties faced by Israel in its attempt to defeat an adaptive enemy that is both complex and decentralised exemplify the difficulties associated with modern urban warfare.

This dichotomy suggests that political, ideological, or violence-orientated problems can never be deeply rooted in a sole way solution, as an arms approach does only solve externals.

It marks an important point when Israel must review its plans in the long run, in terms of Gaza operations and for the wider Middle East.

Lessons

A combination of armed confrontation, political manoeuvring, and humanitarian work is required in order to put an end to the Israel- Hamas conflict; all sides addressing the causes of the conflict is crucial for peace.

After all, military strength cannot solve multidimensional conflicts caused by comprehensive societal and ideological divisions; active discussion and common understanding with each other are part of the words de-escalation of tensions.

In restoring faith to people and taking their grievances into account lies the key to ensuring that tensions don’t escalate in orthodox ways. Such a reactive approach requires a sense of justice, equality, and human dignity.

Conclusion

As the 42-day ceasefire unfolds, the focal point will shift to its implementation and impact on the floor. The phased launch of hostages and detainees represents a step towards de-escalation; however, it leaves crucial questions unanswered. Will the ceasefire result in a broader peace procedure, or will it serve as a temporary lull in a long- lasting war? For Israel and Hamas, this agreement is a moment of reckoning. Both events have to confront the constraints of their strategies and discover alternative pathways to peace. For the worldwide community, the ceasefire underscores the urgent need to cope with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and foster a just resolution to the war. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire isn’t only a pause in hostilities; it’s also a check of resilience, international relations, and the collective will to forge a higher future for the place.

Sharif Hussain Khan, Delhi-based author & researcher.

Aamir Khursheed engineer-turned-writer & aspiring civil servant