Is peace now possible?

In this season of never-ending negativity, we now might be able to rejoice in some seriously good news … from the Middle East of all places!

Israel and the terrorists known as Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire that begins Sunday. Furthermore, they have agreed to a significant swap of hostages, meaning that the families of Israelis and Americans held captive since the Oct. 7, 2023, rocket attacks can be set free.

I am going to hold out hope that the cease fire agreement holds up and that the violence that erupted with Hamas’s brazen and bloody attack will end. Let us not call it a peace agreement, because the cease fire only means the bitter enemies will stop killing each other for the time being.

Let’s be clear on a couple of key points. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and said the only path to peace would require the destruction of the terrorist leadership; it appears that Israel has accomplished its stated aim. However, it has come at a horrific price for the Palestinians caught in the middle of the fight between Israel and Hamas. Thousands of innocent people have died since Hamas started this war.

Thus, the ceasefire — brokered in large part by President Biden’s team — requires an immediate rebuilding effort. It must commence fully, not on a piecemeal basis. It must include massive deliveries of food, water, construction equipment, medical supplies and personnel to help Gaza residents seek to restore their shattered lives.

To that end, Joe Biden and his team deserve the highest praise any of us can give for their tireless work in bringing an end to the bloodshed in Gaza.

Now, though, the hardest task of all awaits … finding a path to a permanent piece in a region that knows only heartache and despair.

8 thoughts on “Is peace now possible?”

  1. It’s cute that you think Biden had anything to do with this. Without Trump, it would NOT have happened.

    1. You must mean the threat that Trump leveled, saying there would be “hell to pay” if they didn’t come up with a ceasefire. Wow! That’s what I call first-class, top-drawer diplomacy. Give Joe Biden some credit, eh? He’s leaving office in five days, man.

  2. Say what you want, without Trump, it doesn’t happen.

    The man hasn’t even taken office and world affairs have already begun changing. Putin has mentioned he wants a resolution, and soon. Iran has made comments regarding backing off on nuclear weapons.

    But yeah, let’s give Biden ALL the credit.

      1. I’m sorry. The way I said that does sound like Trump himself met with them.

        Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, met with Netanyahu on Jan. 11 to push for the cease-fire deal following a meeting with the head of the Qatari mediators, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

        Shortly after those meetings, the ceasefire was announced. Trump’s team was certainly involved.

        1. You know … I think it’s entirely appropriate for a member of the new POTUS’s team to have a seat at the table in this context. I am aware of Witkoff and his role as a special Middle East envoy. Biden mentioned that the new team will be in charge of helping implement the cease fire.

          1. It’s just important to understand that we have only one president at a time. The current POTUS deserves high praise for keeping the pressure on to find a deal that we hope will bring home those hostages.

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