Main focus of Monday, January 19, 2009

Will the ceasefire last?

In the Gaza war the parties have agreed to a one-week ceasefire. After several isolated incidents peace seems to have returned for the time being, and Israel has indicated it will withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip. The European press comments on the fragile peace in the Middle East.

De Volkskrant - Netherlands

The daily De Volkskrant writes that the ceasefire in Gaza has a chance of success: "Hamas has little to gain by continuing the fighting; it would be more likely to lose legitimacy. The terrorist organisation perhaps won't care about the suffering it causes, but it can't go on without the support of the people. If Hamas deliberately tries to force the resumption of fighting, its position - even in negotiations - won't be strengthened. For Israel a continuation of the fighting is also not without risks. Hamas will suffer in military terms, but this complex movement is not to be quashed using only military means. ... Israel has probably lost the propaganda battle. ... As long as Israel refuses to talk directly to Hamas, external intervention - from the US, Europe and Egypt - is indispensable." (19/01/2009)

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El Mundo - Spain

The Spanish daily El Mundo writes on the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East: "It is clear that both the Israeli government and Hamas wanted to present a gift to the new US president Barack Obama for his inauguration party. ... Although the international organisations have been heavily criticised because they couldn't stop the attacks, for the first time Europe's leaders - including Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero - as well as the Arab politicians under the leadership of Hosni Mubarak have reacted with the necessary speed. Hopefully this will set the trend for the future." (19/01/2009)

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La Repubblica - Italy

The left liberal daily La Repubblica stresses the role of Egyptian mediator Omar Suleiman at the ceasefire summit: "In anticipation of a return of the US to the negotiating table Omar Suleiman, the 70-year-old spy master, has adopted the role of an honest mediator between Hamas and Israel that harks back to the policy of the Nixon-Kissinger tandem and is now the goal of the Obama-Clinton duo. ... Not a single document that can be filed for posterity remains from the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The truce is written in the sand. It will depend on the good will of both sides, Israel and Hamas, and - in the event of violations of the truce which there will no doubt be as long as Israel doesn't complete its withdrawal - on secret negotiations led by Omar Suleiman." (19/01/2009)

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All available articles from » Paolo Garimberti

Sydsvenskan - Sweden

The ceasefire in Gaza opens new room for manoeuvre but many questions remain unanswered, writes the Sydsvenska Dagbladet. "Has Hamas come to its senses, and is it ready to act responsibly on behalf of the population? Has it realised that continued fighting against an adversary that has demonstrated its vast military superiority will only bring additional suffering? Bearing in mind the group's past one is tempted to think not. Or are the militant groups so weak that they have no alternative? What is clear is that Israel's unilateral initiative has increased the pressure on Hamas to show its colours. Will the ceasefire last? Whatever the answer, the international community must act now. Help must come immediately, and the arms smuggling between Egypt and Gaza must be stopped right across the board." (19/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Middle East

Dnevnik - Slovenia

Dnevnik newspaper criticises the behaviour of the international community for supporting Israel in its quest to bring Hamas to its knees: "But the question is, how long will the new coalition be willing to assure Israel's security when the prospect of a Palestinian state moves no closer. ... In its show of strength with Hezbollah, Israel commited war crimes to regain its lost power of intimidation. It has angered the whole world while giving some Arab despots real headaches. ... Israel has only deepened the rift between Hamas and Fatah, as well as between Gaza and the West Bank. ... Once more Israel has demonstrated the impotence of the United Nations and the deep divisions in the Arab World." (19/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » U.S., » Middle East
All available articles from » Aleš Gaube

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