CHALLENGES TO CEASE FIRE IN MIDDLE EAST
A Ceasefire or a truce or armistice is stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. It can be declared unilaterally or negotiated between parties to a conflict. A third party mediation can also happen
ACeasefire to end 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on the one hand and between Israel and Hamas on the other, was being talked about for quite some time. A senior Hamas Political Bureau Member, Bassem Naim had indicated on 15th November, willingness of Hamas for a Ceasefire in Gaza. Therefore, President elect Trump of USA was urged to pressurise Israel to end war. It came a week after Qatar announced that it was suspending its role as a mediator and urged all parties to show seriousness. Later a spokesman of Qatar indicated that it was ready to resume their efforts when the parties concerned show willingness.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has begun from dawn of 27th November.Hezbollah has been given 60 days to end its armed presence in South Lebanon while Israeli forces have to withdraw from the area during this period. It is a 13 point Agreement stating that Lebanon Government will prevent Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon from carrying out any operation against Israel. Israel too will not carry out any offensive military operation against Labanese targets, including civilian, military or other state targets in Lebanon.
UNSC RESOLUTION 1701
Basis of Ceasefire is full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which led to end of last war in the region in 2006. The resolution requires Hezbollah to remove its fighters and weapons from the area between Blue Line(unofficial border between Lebanon and Israel) and Litani river, about 30 kms to the South.
HEZBOLLAH INCLUDED, HAMAS LEFT OUT
As U.S. President Joe Biden had to do something substantial in the Middle East before completing his term, he approved a deal for cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in consultation with France. However, there was no guarantee that it will hasten a deal in Gaza with Hamas. U.S. was to launch a renewed drive for Cease fire in Gaza alongwith a hostage release deal. Nayeem Kasim, new Hezbollah Chief incidently has termed cease fire as a victory for them.
INTEREST OF ISRAEL
According to Benjamin Netanyahu, P.M.of Israel, there were three main reasons behind the deal :To focus on Iranian threat, Israel’s Army needed rest and replenishment of stocks and idea was to separate the fronts.
Before it happened, Israel went for a midnight strike on Deir-el-Balah city in Gaza strip in which innocent people lost defenseless children.
Another strike killed 49 persons in Lebanon and 19 in Gaza.In retaliation, Hezbollah fired over 250 rockets into Israel, wounding 7 persons.
After Israeli cabinet approved Ceasefire, it continued air strikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, killing 7 and injuring 37 persons.
In fourteen months, 3961 persons were killed in Lebanon and 1.2 million were displaced.Tens of thousands of Israelis too fled from their homes along the border.Even after cease fire began,Israel continued to pound Gaza on 27th November.
Hamas was ready for a Ceasefire and a deal to exchange prisoners. They informed their mediators in Egypt, Qatar and Turkey also. At this moment B.Netanyahu pointed out “When Hezbollah is out of picture, Hamas will be left alone in the fight.Our pressure on them will intensify. Israel will also focus on the Iranian threat.”
Meanwhile, in a fresh push for a Ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage deal, Hamas leaders have begun talks with Egyptian officers.Kuwait’s Emir has also urged for immediate ceasefire for Gaza at a Gulf Meet.
REACTION OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
While Iran has welcomed Ceasefire, India while backing it, has called for dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation. Egypt and Qatar have also welcomed the truce. Qatar, in addition, has hoped that it would lead to a similar agreement to end war in Gaza. E.U.President has felt that Ceasefire was very encouraging news. In opinion of British P.M. it was long over due and would provide some measure of relief to civilians in Lebanon and North Israel.
French President has opined that deal was culmination of efforts undertaken for months.France would spare no effort to support its implementation by working with U.N.I.F. UNICEF has stated that agreement is an essential first step towards healing the communities affected by conflict. But statement of a U.S.officer may be significant as it hints at Hamas. It says “When they watch the news and realize that Hezbollah has decided to abandon them and delink the two conflicts, there is no one coming for their support anymore.”
BREACH OF TRUCE ?
Both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of truce violations. According to a Hezbollah leader, Israeli Army was attacking those returning to border villages. Israeli tanks had fired on five towns in South Lebanon and Drones were also doing surveillance over this area. 21 Palestinians were also killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes. In retaliation again Hezbollah attacks killed 45 civilians and 73 Israeli soldiers in North Israel.
According to Labanon Army, Israel has breached the accord several times by aerial violations and targeting of Lebanon’s territories with weapons. The Israeli Defence forces, however, have clarified that it attacked Hezbollah facilities in South Lebanon after identifying terrorist activities and separately opened fire on several suspects. Israel also killed 40 persons in Gaza strip. Many were in a refugee camp.
Monitoring mechanism of Ceasefire is yet to begin, hence violations can not be ruled out.Deadly Israeli strikes on South Lebanon and Hezbollah on 2nd December have, therefore, hit at the very purpose of Ceasefire. Defending its action, Israel has stated that in the event of collapse of Ceasefire, it will not differentiate between Lebanon and Hezbollah. Lebanon officials in the meanwhile, have requested U.S. and France to put pressure on Israel and to ensure compliance of Ceasefire amid state of tension. To save the situation, the French Foreign Minister has called upon both sides to adhere to Ceasefire.
Israeli Army is capable of targeting even those providing meals to people affected by wars. One such organisation – WCK has become a life line for people in Gaza, who otherwise struggle to feed themselves. An Israeli airstrike on a car in Gaza strip on 30th November killed five persons including employees of WCK. Its aid delivery efforts in Gaza were suspended earlier this year after an Israeli strike had killed seven of its workers, most of them being foreigners. Further, UNRWA is finding difficulty in providing aid to Palestinian refugees through Karem Shalom crossing due to Israeli siege & hurdles.
In Gaza, ongoing war has sparked a humanitarian crisis resulting into displacement of much of territory’s 2.3 million population and triggering widespread hunger.If the current trend continues, peace would remain a distant possibility for the Palestinians in Gaza strip and hundreds of Israeli hostages therein also may continue to suffer.
TO SUM UP
(a) Violation of Ceasefire has been mostly by Israel. Minutes before agreement became effective,Israel bombed Beirut’s suburbs 20 times in two minutes, killing 25 persons. Another 50 were killed and 160 were wounded in Lebanon on previous day.
Will U.S. and France have any Answer ?
(b) Why only 60 days ? Cease fire should have been forever in tune with Joe Biden’s statement that it was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.
(c) It shows failure of U.N.O. once again as in the case of Russia-Ukrain war which is going on since 24th February, 2023. AND Why Resolution 1701 of 2006 of UNSC be the basis ? The Security Council should have debated this issue and come out with a fresh resolution in view of complete change in the circumstances.
(d) By delinking Hezbollah from Hamas, U.S. and Israel have come out with an infamous ‘divide and rule’ policy prevalent in British India.Emir of Kuwait has also hit out at such a “double standard”.
(e) When Joe Biden says Israel retains the right to self defence, basically Israel gets an upper hand in the deal. Further, if one believes the protesters in Israel, agreement is a complete surrender to Hezbollah.
(The author is former Chief Secretary of Sikkim)
