Hostages released, Hope, but difficult negotiations ahead.

 PALISTINIAN PRISONERS RELEASED

AID RESTORED

All 20 living hostages have been released and over 2000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed. Israeli troops have partly withdrawn from Gaza and aid trucks are beginning to enter the area. So far, all is according to the terms of phase 1. While it is a hopeful sign, it is going to require patience, cooperation and a regaining of trust to move to the next steps. 

The first sticking point will be Hamas disarming, it is understandable that they will be reluctant to give up their weapons until their is some sense that they will not be immediately attacked. There is also the makeup of a new governing body that needs to be made up of unbiased and objective leaders that can gain the trust of both sides. This will not happen in days or even weeks, but will be a process one day at a time.

The next phase will require patience from Israel and a clear indication that they are willing to let Gaza exist as an independent entity. The past narrative will need to be realigned if any confidence can be restored. Is this ceasefire is just a needed break in a hope of Israel restoring its image, or is it a real effort for a lasting solution? It will take trust and confidence on both sides for this to succeed, it will not happen overnight.

There probably should be some sort of peacekeeping troops in Gaza, not Israeli, not American or European. Some sort of order will need to be implemented. Thankfully the 200 U.S. troops are to stay out of Gaza, It seems their role is to monitor the situation.

Everyone will be on their best behavior while Trump and other leaders are in the region, it will be up to the Palestinians and the Israeli's to deal with their internal extremists, it seems their are plenty on both sides.  

Real peace can only be accomplished with communication and a real effort to deal with problems jointly, not in an eye for an eye policy or demanding submission. Gazans need to accept that Israel is going to exist, publicly, and only coexistence will end the death and destruction. It will take real diplomats from both sides and a close moderating and involvement from the international community.