The first sign was a hand-written note and a whisper in the ear of the American President. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Palestine had yielded fruit. Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for peace in the Middle East could be the basis for a serious and lasting end to the conflict in Gaza.
It came two years and two days after the incident that started the war: Hamas’ devastating attack on 7 October 2023 that killed over a thousand Israelis. As Israel then attacked and invaded the Palestinian territory of Gaza, it has resulted in many thousands more deaths. The war has also led to a humanitarian crisis within Gaza leaving people without food, shelter and clean water.
Things have moved quickly and surprisingly over the past days, and it can leave us uncertain how to feel about where we are right now. Some will react with jubilation and excitement; others will respond with pessimism and cynicism (this is not the first ceasefire to be announced in this war). Then there are those who point out the way Israel has conducted the war, or that Hamas are terrorists.
