Peace finally breaks out

NEWS BASED STORY BY BLOG's EDITOR:More than immediate peace, the painstaking Egyptian brokered Israel-Hamas truce is appreciated for vindicating advocates of dialogue and negotiations, setting the pace for the future as regards the Middle East's most complex problem, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.While few familiar with the region's history are lighting their cigars just yet, and the understanding could not prevent immediate exchange of limited hostilities, it is the most promising yet between Tel Aviv and Hamas at a time when both have pressing issues with the other they'd like taken care of sooner rather than later.After years of 'no negotiations with terrorists', a stance that registers closely with allies in Washington, Israel has apparently come to the conclusion that a little understanding isn't too bad if it halts the flurry of rockets into its southern establishments, even though their fatality threat is far smaller than the panic they cause. Hamas, for its part, has come to appreciate that its defiance is much better served without incessant Israeli bombardment and raids. Then there is the mutual give-and-take concerning Israel's long captured soldier Cpl Gilad Schalit in return for opening Gaza's borders to food and fuel supplies as acute shortage threatens to finally finish off struggling residents. On the surface the understanding seems to nicely balance both sides. Yet there are greater concerns that are bound to present themselves very quickly. Having taken the heat, Hamas will waste little time in refurbishing its supplies and rearming itself, an exercise that will make Israel see the deal as counter-productive, most probably inviting strong reaction. On the other hand, even if Hamas stays committed to its word, seeing its obvious immediate advantages, there is no guarantee numerous other militias will cease operations simply at its behest, such diverse has the Gazan splintered uprising become in the years of struggle, choke and lawlessness. Considering the odds, a realistic assessment does not see the understanding holding for long. Indeed, most pundits accord it little save the lull-before-the-storm brushing aside. Yet that is specifically why the international community must gear itself for far greater involvement. For a US administration that has only recently promised taking up Palestine as its legacy initiative, the timing could not be better. The agreement, however fragile, is a great victory of use of negotiations as opposed to muscle. Hamas' actions following its promise should be seen very carefully, and cooperation should be rewarded so it has something to show for the new approach. As for Israel, even its firmest supporters will struggle to find instances where the Jewish state has honoured promises with regard to its role in the Middle East. Counting the six long decades of its illegal occupation, that makes for a very long list of lies.For better or worse, regional powers are clinging to the understanding as the most positive development to have emerged from the conflict in quite some time. Keeping it on track will require skilful diplomacy from regional and non-regional players alike. Considering the way the Middle East has been damaged in the recent past, it seems unlikely any stakeholder will take this opportunity lightly