Israel refuses to travel to Cairo, Egypt, to discuss a possible ceasefire deal under the stipulation that Hamas must confirm the state of the Israeli hostages. Pressures begin to grow in regards to this potential ceasefire deal since it holds the power to bring six weeks of peace to Gaza, while also releasing many Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas dismissed Israel’s inquiry, shortly due to the recent events that have led to various innocent civilian deaths. In both northern and southern parts of Gaza, Palestinian citizens met their death by Israeli air strikes as well as violent attacks from the Israel Defense Force near an aid convoy. With these attacks being investigated closely, the prospect of a ceasefire begins to diminish as both sides struggle to find common ground.

Succeeding Hamas’ accusation of Israeli forces targeting civilians in Gaza, BBC reports Israel Defense Force spokesman Rear Hagari’s claim, that “no strike was carried out by the IDF towards the aid convoy” and that “several looters approached our forces and posed an immediate threat to them.” As Israel continues to deny any intentional violence against citizens, BBC witnesses receive information from Doctor Salha stating that the “Al-Awda hospital received around 176 injured people…142 of these cases are bullet injuries and the rest are from the stampede.” 

With hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians struggling to find shelter and basic needs, the prospect of a temporary ceasefire hangs over the heads of the people of Gaza. The immediate enforcement of a ceasefire is crucial for imposing provisional peace in the West Bank. This 6-week ceasefire can allow time for additional aid to be brought to the people of Gaza, easing the growing alarms of famine. The continuous attacks and violent outbreaks on behalf of Israel must be mitigated for Hamas to cooperate. Once tensions begin to ease, negotiations are more likely to succeed. Additionally, it is imminent for both sides to compromise, meaning Hamas must be willing to release the fate of their current hostages. These compromises must be officiated as quickly as possible, especially since more and more innocent lives are being stripped away daily. To ensure peace and short-term stability within the Gaza Strip, this ceasefire deal must ensue without hesitation. 

Dating back to 1948, the conflict between Israel and Gaza has been intensifying day by day. With the United States in full support of Israel, aid has had a history of being scarce along the Gaza Strip. Following the recent shooting at the aid convoy, the United States decided to send humanitarian aid to Gaza– choosing to drop over 30,000 meals by military planes. The United States reiterates its encouragement of a ceasefire, attempting to hurry along Hamas’ “three-stage truce process” with as few casualties as possible. This war has elicited a baffling amount of deaths over many years, and spectacles on this new ceasefire deal perpetuate optimism for peace.

As risks of famine and increasing civilian displacement amplify in Gaza, a ceasefire is indispensable. Hamas and Israel must settle on terms that speed along the process, ensuring a rapid approach towards temporary peace. A 6-week ceasefire is important for recovery in Gaza and can only be achieved if both sides mitigate violence and compromise with one another. With humanitarian aid being constantly blocked by Israel, and Palestinian civilians suffering regularly, it is imperative to call for a ceasefire so that stability can successfully be regained.