Ceasefire raises hopes of permanent end to war

China has consistently expressed its deep concern about the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip and called for a release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire to end the fighting, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The tentative ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that has been announced on Wednesday offers hope that these objectives may now be realized. The deal is three-phase, with implementation of the first phase set to begin on Sunday with a hostage-prisoner exchange and a 42-day halt to the fighting. Israeli forces are to withdraw from all the populated areas of Gaza.

Whether the deal leads to a permanent end to the fighting remains to be seen. But Israel bombed Gaza claiming about 80 lives, according to local sources, shortly after the ceasefire deal was announced. It is to be sincerely hoped that the ceasefire will hold and the deal will be faithfully implemented by both sides. The joy on people's faces in Gaza and Israel captured in photos published on some news websites show how people on both sides have been longing for an end to the conflict.

Details of the second and third phases, though understood to be agreed to in principle, are still to be negotiated. The negotiations to reach the second phase of the deal, which is intended to permanently end the fighting, will begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the first phase of the deal. The entire world should hope that the talks produce agreement so that the war can end as soon as possible.

Major world powers, especially the United States which has unconditionally supported Israel's military operations, should do all they can to ensure the negotiations proceed and reach agreement on how to realize that objective.

Washington should use its leverage over Israel to make sure that the ceasefire will be implemented to the letter by the Israeli side, and other major powers and relevant parties should do the same with Hamas. It is crucial that the commitments agreed to are fully honored by both parties.

If the pause in the fighting does take effect on Sunday, it is imperative that the long-delayed humanitarian aid reaches those desperately in need as soon as possible.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is the fundamental guarantee for that but it is not yet clear if Israel will continue with its plans to ban the UNRWA — the UN agency for Palestinian refugees — at the end of January, something that would severely curtail the ability to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

China firmly opposes Israel's smearing and suppression of the UNRWA, and is gravely concerned about the relevant Knesset bills targeting the agency. It has repeatedly urged Israel to stop weaponizing humanitarian assistance, lift the blockade of Gaza and the restrictions on humanitarian access, and cooperate fully with the UN and other humanitarian agencies.

The agreement in principle that has been reached has multiple stages that if broken could result in a resumption of fighting. But, looking ahead, if the ceasefire holds, there is still the question of who will govern postwar Gaza.

Hamas wants the complete and total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. While Israel insists on maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave. And there is currently no sign of any agreement on a third party to administer Gaza.

Looking even further ahead, the two-state solution, with each state recognizing the right of the other to exist, is the prerequisite for lasting peace.

That explains why China has consistently called on Israel to put an immediate end to its intensified settlement activities and violence in the West Bank, which are a de-facto obliteration of the foundation of the two-state solution.

The ceasefire deal is welcome, but it is only a first step toward lasting peace. There is still much that needs to be done.