Doubts Loom, But Gaza’s Fragile Ceasefire Still Holds

By Linda Khoo & Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The latest Gaza ceasefire marks a diplomatic breakthrough, offering a glimpse of hope for calm after a devastating two-year war, but doubts loom over whether it can bring lasting peace and rebuild the shattered territory.

As of the latest update, the first phase of a multi-stage peace deal between Hamas and Israel, reached on October 9, is still in effect.

Analysts and observers warn that peace will remain elusive until the occupation ends and a sovereign Palestinian state is established.

They note that while the truce provides a brief pause to save lives and deliver aid, it fails to address the political and structural roots of the conflict.

Without resolving these core issues, they warn, any ceasefire will remain fragile and short-lived.

Associate Professor Dr Roy Anthony Rogers, Head of the Department of International and Strategic Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, said the ceasefire deal is only a temporary measure as the core issues remain unresolved.

"As much as I welcome the ceasefire, I believe it is not a long-term solution. The conflict will persist unless the occupation ends and the two-state solution is realised," he told Bernama International News Service.

He added that international involvement is crucial to transforming the current ceasefire into lasting peace in Palestine.

"The United States (US), with its strong influence over Israel, plays a decisive role, as Israel has often responded to Washington's requests.

"At the same time, Middle Eastern nations such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia also have an important role to play too. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries should take a more active role in demanding an end to the occupation and in taking concrete, action-oriented steps for the people of Palestine," he added.

The Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was brokered under a plan presented by US President Donald Trump early this month.

The first phase involves the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, along with efforts to rebuild Gaza.

The second phase calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas, the creation of a joint security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Echoing Roy's view on the need for a comprehensive approach, Dr Tareq M. al-Talmas, General Manager of Global Peace Mission Malaysia (GPM), Palestine Office, emphasised that accountability and justice must underpin any peace efforts.

He said Israel's consistent pattern of violating agreements stems from its doctrine of military dominance, where any perceived threat to its deterrence is often met with force.

Citing the Oslo Accords signed in the early 1990s, he said the peace process was initially designed as a phased path towards reconciliation, but decades later, Israel has implemented only what serves its security interests.

"This ceasefire, like many before it, appears to be a tactical pause rather than a strategic step towards genuine peace. Without accountability and a shift in power dynamics, sustainable peace remains unlikely," he said.

Tareq said the international community must activate clear mechanisms to hold Israel responsible for its actions, not merely through statements or symbolic condemnation, but through real legal consequences.

"War crimes should be prosecuted, and international courts must be allowed to pursue justice for victims," he said.

When asked about the most urgent humanitarian priorities to stabilise Gaza and prevent further violence, Tareq, who is currently in Gaza coordinating humanitarian aid operations, said the situation on the ground is "beyond catastrophic", with homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure destroyed.

"But perhaps the deepest damage is not physical; it is the emotional and psychological trauma carried by the people. After two years of relentless war, the people of Gaza are physically exhausted and emotionally shattered," he said.

To prevent further instability, Tareq said there is an urgent need for a comprehensive recovery plan to rebuild essential infrastructure, provide food, water and shelter, support education and mental health, and help families regain their livelihoods.

"We need united efforts from the international community, humanitarian organisations and local actors working hand in hand – not just with aid, but with long-term strategies that address both the humanitarian and political roots of the crisis.

"Rebuilding Gaza is not just about repairing buildings; it is about restoring dignity, hope and the right to live a normal life," he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research (NASR) Prof Dr Azmi Hasan said the Gaza ceasefire underscores the need for genuine political will to end the conflict.

"Both Hamas and Israel do not want to prolong the war, but neither wants to show that it has lost," he said.

He added that the conflict could have been resolved two or three years earlier with the political will of the US to enforce peace.

"Sustained commitment is essential to ensure all parties adhere to the terms of the ceasefire," he said.

Azmi, who is also a geostrategic expert, said many countries now recognise that what is happening in Gaza amounts to genocide, leading to a gradual shift in global opinion against Israel.

This growing awareness, he added, has left Israel increasingly isolated on the international stage, with countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia adopting firmer positions on the humanitarian situation, while only the US continues to back Tel Aviv.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, leaving the enclave largely uninhabitable.

-- BERNAMA