Issues Under Fire: Tense Moments in Gaza, But Cease-Fire 11 Holds
Day 38 of the Assault on Gaza: The strain of constant on again, off again air strikes and rocket fire has taken an incredible toll on the residents of Gaza as well as those charged with covering the crisis. When early reports of rockets being fired into Israel began to circulate less than two hours before Cease-Fire 10 was set to expire, a sickening feeling befell many of the weary. Please God they prayed, don't let this be true.
The thought of another week or month of sleeping with strangers, huddling in dark corners for cover, finding ways to keep the kids quiet until one can sneak out for food and water at first light, weighed heavily on everybody's minds. Another wave of smashing blows from F-16 fighters, endless mortar rounds raining down like confetti, with tanks blasting targets everywhere you run to, would not be missed. The end of this madness has to be near.
While the Egyptian mediated negotiations have been described as difficult, tedious and mired in mistrust, it is imperative the next five days are used to make every effort to bridge the unbridgeable. Israel's main concern is its security and the Palestinian's main concern is its survival. Israel is motivated by fear. The Palestinians are motivated by pride. Israel won't feel safe as long as Palestinians have weapons to attack them with. Palestinians won't feel safe without weapons to resist Israeli aggressions.
As Israel maintains the right to defend itself and Palestinians demand the right to resist, a divide this wide between sworn enemies will be impossible to close without courage, character and honor playing an integral role in these talks. Considering those seated at the negotiating table, literally hold the lives of millions in their hands, once seated, no one has the right to walk away from these talks in disgust and anger.
Now that the talks have reached this milestone, albeit minor, no one has the right to trigger hostilities again and no one has the right to give up. Since both sides already know what the other can and cannot live with, negotiating in good faith should seal a deal; even if only a small one.
Bottom line: The world is depending on these negotiators to remain calm, cool headed and committed to coming to terms all parties will accept. The world is depending on these negotiators to do what nobody has done in decades. The world is depending on these negotiators to understand they have an opportunity to make history. The world is depending on both sides understanding, the stakes are too high for bluffing, political posturing or brinksmanship. The world is depending on these negotiators to get it done, get it done right and get it done now!
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