Seizing the opportunity

The indefinite ceasefire agreement reached by Hamas and Israel Tuesday is a breakthrough of sorts provided it lasts and is observed in good faith by both sides.

The ceasefire left some hardcore issues for future negotiations, but relaxed the Israeli blockade on Gaza, a big immediate win for Hamas.

Extending the fishing rights of Gaza fishermen to 12 nautical miles from three is also a victory of sorts for the impoverished Gazans.

The Hamas demand to build an international airport and a harbour were left for talks to be held in a month, while the demilitarisation of Gaza, a principal Israel goal, was left hanging.

Hamas cannot be expected to compromising on the only card that offers it some leverage in the face of Israel.

Unfortunately the rhetoric from both sides following the announcement of the truce remains rather bellicose; both sides declare victory, hailing their military and political achievements and threatening to go back to war again if necessary.

Such post-ceasefire rhetoric is not conducive to a peaceful follow up that could pave the way for further gains and a total end to fighting.

Outside the parties directly involved in talks, Egypt and Qatar can also claim victory.

Such claim by Cairo would be justified by the fact that its own original proposal, made public more than a month ago, was the very foundation for ending the hostilities. 

Qatar, on the other hand, might claim credit by virtue of the fact that it has clout with Hamas and must have exercised some arm twisting on the Islamic movement to convince it to accept what it had rejected on previous occasions.

Be it as may, the end of fighting in Gaza is a triumph for both Palestinians and Israelis, the only people who suffered.

Now is the time to give diplomacy a chance, to take advantage of the new circumstances created by the ceasefire and work towards a permanent peace.