Tough love is generally where you have to be harsh to be kind. An apparent contradiction, but it can succeed in certain situations; in families, communities, even in countries. The end justifies the means. As an example, I don’t recall ever hearing an American president making seriously aggressive threats to bring countries to ‘smoking the pipe of peace’. Well, Donald Trump made it absolutely clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – get to the peace table or else. It worked. Then he did the same to the leaders of Palestinian rebel group Hamas, threatening them with ‘complete obliteration’, if they didn’t comply. That’s not too polite. He didn’t make the same threat to Russia over Ukraine, for fairly obvious reasons! Additionally, to get Hamas to comply so far (and I repeat so far), with the Trump 20 point plan, it still needed persuasion from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey; and from a Gaza population absolutely desperate for help.
Trump’s unique style undoubtedly helped get the required reaction. Also, he is genuinely interested in achieving peace. There’s a strong hint of narcissism in his approach and rhetoric, but politics contain plenty of that, though usually less visible. Trump has certainly stuck America’s neck out on this one. A little reckless perhaps; as with his tariff policy. Who knows? Maybe this peace programme is going to work. If it does, then it’ll wipe out every criticism – and there’s more than a few of those – levelled at Donald Trump in his new presidency.
A more appropriate title for the article would then have been: ‘Fortune favours the brave’. We all really hope so. There can be nothing better than peace for the population of Gaza; a stop to the appalling slaughter of so many innocent people. With the release of hostages on both sides and a ceasefire continuing since last Friday, there is a strong feeling of optimism. I, though, am not about to start popping the balloons. Though…
The initial steps towards a clear, practical peace agreement are in motion with the ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops from most of Gaza and the release of hostages on both sides. Frankly, that’s as much benefit to Hamas as Israel. Palestinians are free to go back to their homes, though the massive destruction of their housing will be heartbreaking for them. Food aid is pouring in, but it’s got to double up, and fast. We just can’t imagine what those people have suffered. Furthermore, they will continue to do so until full reparations are made.
We’ve seen the easy bit. It’s a ceasefire, not a peace deal. The big challenge lies in the next stages: Completion of hostage return and full Hamas disarmament. Israel has to completely withdraw from Gaza and a workable agreement needed for who governs Gaza Strip. Short term peace – easy. Long-term peace – very difficult. Especially given the history of vitriolic dispute over land occupation and the deadly Israeli conflicts with Palestinian groups that include Hamas. The damage has been immense and lasted for years. Also in view of the vicious and utterly ruthless behaviour of both Israeli troops and Hamas rebels, there is one big challenge yet to resolve. It’s captured in one word: Hatred.
On October 7, 2023, an appalling Hamas attack inside the Israel border with Gaza, led to around 1 200 people being killed and hundreds raped. It was a horrific face-to-face massacre. The victims were mostly Israeli civilians, with 251 taken hostage. Israel retaliated in a ruthless military campaign that has caused the death of more than 67 000 Palestinians, mostly civilians and including more than 18 000 children, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. It also led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. There will be enough hatred in enough people in the two societies that intensive mental rehabilitation is required to heal the damage and change the mindset. Just imagine how many families have lost loved ones. For what? Nothing achieved. You can’t just bully people into forgiveness.
Achieving a sustained peace is the true measure and it’s a massive challenge. Many will have good intentions, who understand the essential steps for peace. There is also an enormous risk of outright rejection, fuelled by a desire for retribution. In practical terms the biggest threat to the Trump 20-Point Plan is that Hamas will not agree to disarmament and various sovereignty issues, nor will they like the interim governance arrangements for Gaza. Land allocation for Palestine remains a huge issue.
With the release of hostages, emotions run high. Donald Trump has risen to saviour status in Israel. He is endeavouring to go beyond the Gaza war and create a global thrust in pursuit of peace throughout the Middle East. Though, his ‘lap of victory’ is far too premature. It is essential that his country keeps up the pressure on Israel and Hamas. America and the rest of the Western World must resist the temptation, when progress slips, to simply blame the participants and settle for the reassurance that they themselves had tried hard. The most vivid example of that is the recent Trump/Putin peace discussion in Alaska that, at the time, gained substantial ‘brownie points’ for the participants, but amounted in practice to absolutely nothing. For Israelis and Palestinians, especially Hamas, there must be a full Peace Agreement, signed by all, with continuous compliance and constant pressure maintained from outside. Peacekeeping forces will be an essential component.
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