Is a ceasefire enough to save Gaza?

The ceasefire in Gaza represents a critical milestone, but it is no more than a temporary junction in a long path of war of extermination. The current reality in the Gaza Strip is witnessing intertwined crises resulting from an organized war of extermination, and requires a response managed with political and practical realism that goes beyond idealistic slogans and concepts. What is required now is not to stop at the state of calm, but to move forward with calculated steps aimed at achieving a somewhat permanent stability on new foundations.

The sustainability of the ceasefire must be based on arrangements that ensure a balance of power on the ground that obliges the aggressor party to refrain from repeating its actions. To achieve this, an independent international committee must be established to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, which will document any Israeli violations. The international community, represented by the Security Council, must also adopt a resolution that internationalizes the ceasefire and makes it legally binding, which will place Israel directly responsible for any violations and prevent it from returning to war, as some on the Israeli right would like.

As for embarking on reconstruction, it is not merely a matter of rebuilding what was destroyed by the war, but rather another battle against attempts to empty the place of its human and economic content. Reconstruction must be an entry point to restoring the social and economic strength of the Palestinians, as no stability can be imagined without a solid foundation of basic services and infrastructure. What is required here is not only funding, but also conscious management that moves the sector from a state of exhaustion to a state of recovery. The reconstruction process must be accompanied by the creation of broad job opportunities that contribute to strengthening the local economy and achieving economic independence. International and local organizations must be involved in developing a comprehensive development plan that relies on building infrastructure, from water and electricity networks to schools and hospitals. This must include rehabilitating vital sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and industry in order to restore economic life to normal and prevent excessive dependence on foreign aid.

Keeping the charge of genocide alive against Israel is not an option that can be bypassed, but rather a necessity to ensure that what happened in Gaza is not forgotten in the pages of international oblivion. These crimes require systematic and accurate documentation that includes all the details of the aggression, so that this documentation can be a weapon in an open battle that extends from international courts to the arenas of world public opinion. Highlighting the crimes of genocide also means working to change the political equations that allowed them to happen, by exposing the system that manages this aggression and provides it with protection. To achieve this, teams must be established to collect evidence and conduct field investigations that document the crimes in detail and accurately. This evidence must also be used to prepare strong legal files to be submitted to the International Criminal Court and other judicial forums. In addition, media and diplomatic efforts must be intensified to keep Israeli crimes in the spotlight, which contributes to mobilizing world public opinion and pressuring governments that support Israel.

In this context, the importance of Palestinian unity emerges as an inevitable condition for managing this stage and the ones that follow. The continuation of the Palestinian division gives the occupation additional space to continue its policies without deterrence. Unity here is not a matter of slogans, but rather a necessity for political survival, as a Palestinian working system must be built that deals with the new reality without paying attention to narrow factional calculations. A national unity government with a flexible political program and strong administration will be able to lead the reconstruction process and achieve field and diplomatic achievements. There must be a comprehensive national dialogue that leads to a unified vision that strengthens the Palestinian position in international forums. This unity must focus on rebuilding trust between the factions through practical steps such as forming joint committees to oversee major national issues and unify political and field efforts.

The ceasefire in Gaza is a test, and an opportunity to reshape the rules of the game in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinians. If this opportunity is not translated into real steps that bring about change on the ground, the scene will remain stuck in a vicious cycle of escalation and temporary calm. What is required now is to work consciously and insistently to create a new reality that places Gaza in a different position, not as a recurring victim. This requires a long-term strategy based on a strong will and a realistic vision that addresses all the effects of the war, and paves the way for a future that provides the Palestinians with the elements of the decent life they deserve.