Ceasefire: War or Lasting Peace | OP-ED | Security Lense | 11-march-2024
Ceasefire, a concept often romanticized by diplomats, appears to be a temporary stop in the middle of the constant cycle of violence during a war. The genocide going on in Palestine, there have been protests, humanitarian aid appeals, and diplomatic efforts to stop the violence, leading to a global outcry for a ceasefire. But as time goes on, more than a year now, the ultimate question looms: will a ceasefire be an actual solution or merely a delay of war? The question poses itself particularly well in the context of the war in Palestine, where ceasefires mediate multiple times and are gradually broken down by renewed hostilities. Why, despite staggering loss of life, has a ceasefire been repeatedly delayed?
An accord for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza was announced on 15 January 2025 and was effective from 19 January 2025. The truce was declared after months of negotiations and external pressure from nations and humanitarian organizations. Governments and international bodies, including the United Nations, Qatar, and Egypt, played a significant role in brokering the agreement. However, this development arrived after more than 15 months of suffering, devastation, and immense human loss.
The war began on 7 October 2023 and had since taken thousands of civilian lives. In this human massacre, at least 61,709 people have been killed, including 17,492 children. Injured people are more than 111,588 people. Additionally, more than 14,222 people are missing and presumed dead. (Al Jazeera, 2025). This includes civilian Palestinians, many women and children, as well as reporters, doctors, and humanitarian workers. Entire cities were turned into rubble, infrastructure was shattered, and whole populations were decimated.
Historical and political factors have significantly contributed to the causes of the war. At its core, the conflict concerns territory, military occupation, and resistance against systemic oppression. The growth of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the blockade on Gaza, and the repeated military incursions have further intensified tensions. The involvement of international powers, who back Israel and permit the atrocities to continue, has prolonged the suffering, making peace appear an unachievable goal.
This violence has had a profound effect, particularly on Palestinian civilians. They suffer from severe psychological damage that may never fully heal. In the hope that the world would take notice, countless journalists, students, medical professionals, and citizens were thrown into positions they never wanted to be in and were compelled to record their people’s agony. Even though the violence has temporarily stopped, the trauma still exists. Many survivors express feelings of emptiness and disillusionment, encapsulated in statements like, “I made it alive, but I think I’ve lost it.”
The memory of those who passed away and the suffering of those left behind cannot be erased, even though the bombs have stopped. Rebuilding life in the wake of such destruction is a difficult task that will require physical reconstruction and emotional healing. No political deal can instantly mend the scars caused by the anguish of losing homes, loved ones, and entire communities in 15 months. The ceasefire, for them, does not equate to peace. Instead, it is a mere pause in their agony, a temporary silence before the next inevitable escalation.
In my view, a ceasefire should not only temporarily halt the violence but also be supported by significant and objective international action that tackles the fundamental problems of the war. Operating ceasefires must give way to genuine constructive negotiations, end the occupation, acknowledge Palestinian statehood, and implement a comprehensive peace plan that provides security and dignity to all. The cycle of violence can only be curbed when there is a commitment to justice, reconciliation, and a genuine will for peace so that the cycle of violence can be broken. Without addressing the systemic inequities and power disparities, any declaration of ceasefire would merely be short-lived.
It’s also critical to consider why the ceasefire has been implemented late. Why hasn’t a ceasefire been implemented since the war started 15 months ago if it was the answer to this humanitarian holocaust? The political interests of those in authority, the international community’s unwillingness to act decisively, and the ongoing preference for geopolitical ties over human lives are the causes of the problem. This battle has been prolonged partly because of selective indignation, a lack of responsibility, and the inability to enforce resolutions. The world would have taken action far sooner rather than waiting for thousands of deaths before realizing how urgent the situation was if peace had been the aim.
In conclusion, the recent ceasefire in Palestine gives cause for optimism but is far from guaranteeing lasting peace. It will take years or possibly decades for the grave scars caused by the conflict to heal. There needs to be a concerted effort by the global community to advocate by calling for a peace agreement that addresses the fundamental issues of the conflict. The people of Palestine deserve more than just a temporary respite from violence; they deserve a future free from the threat of war. In the end, the issue still stands: is a ceasefire an absolute stop to war or just another temporary brief pause in a never-ending vicious cycle of violence?
If a ceasefire alone is insufficient, what will it take to achieve lasting peace?
Connect with Security Lense
Leave a Reply