Ceasefire welcomed, but lasting peace still in question

Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.

The agreement on the first phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal marks a critical, though precarious, juncture in the long-standing conflict that has scarred the Gaza Strip and the broader region. The deal, involving phased implementation steps including a ceasefire, hostage release, and prisoner exchanges, has garnered widespread yet cautious international reaction.

"This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years," said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a statement.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the agreement as "a positive first step in bringing that suffering to an end." Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi also hailed the deal as a "major step" toward reaching a two-state settlement.

Despite applause, the international community's response has been a mix of cautious optimism and calls for adherence to commitments. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while welcoming the agreement, urged all concerned to "abide fully" by its terms.

"All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be secured. The fighting must stop once and for all," Guterres said in a statement, emphasizing that unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies into the region "must be ensured."

The ceasefire is notable for explicitly linking hostages and prisoner exchanges with a halt to hostilities and increased humanitarian aid. This underscores that the phases of release and troop withdrawal depend heavily on reciprocal compliance by both sides.

However, historical mistrust between Israel and Hamas remains high.

While Israel is prepared to receive all the hostages including the deceased as early as this weekend, Hamas has been concerned about the Benjamin Netanyahu administration's sincerity in implementing the deal, calling for guarantor states to ensure the Israeli government withdraw its troops to an agreed-upon line and fully implements the ceasefire. A phased and verifiable disarmament of Hamas, as Israel has been urged for, is another concern for lasting security in Gaza.

The proposed international governance structure for Gaza faces significant obstacles as well. A technocratic apolitical Palestinian committee supervised by an international transitional body Board of Peace, as the U.S. proposed in its 20-point Gaza peace plan, has encountered skepticism. Hamas and other Palestinian factions have yet to embrace a model that appears to bypass established Palestinian political entities.

Political dynamics within Israel also present hurdles, with reports suggesting some factions and leaders were opposed or reluctant toward a ceasefire, potentially delaying or sabotaging implementation.

More importantly, the 20-point plan, including the first phase of the deal, sidesteps any mention of implementing the two-state solution, widely recognized as the only viable path to durable peace in the region.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted earlier, it is imperative to promote a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza with the greatest sense of urgency to alleviate the current humanitarian disaster, to truly implement the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine," and to firmly uphold the two-state solution, pool greater international consensus and form a more unified stance.

While the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement offers a hopeful breakthrough, lasting peace in Gaza hinges on trust-building and the implementation of the two-state solution.

Ultimately, the Gaza conflict demands not only cessation of violence but the political courage to address root causes. A successful ceasefire is a necessary first step, but not the final one. It must evolve from ceasefire to peace, involving regional powers, global stakeholders, and most importantly, the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis for security, dignity, and coexistence.

Any post-war governance and reconstruction arrangements should respect the will of the Palestinian people and safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation. Only through such comprehensive engagement can the international community hopes to end the cycle of violence and suffering in Gaza.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)