Separate cease-fires should be extended to permanent truce in Gaza
(From The Japan Times Jan. 21 issue)

一方的停戦から恒久的な和平へ

Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire Jan. 18 in the 22-day offensive against the Gaza Strip controlled by the Islamist group Hamas. Hours later, Hamas declared a separate cease-fire. Since both parties refused to talk and weigh each other's demands, the calm is tentative. Israel, Hamas and other parties concerned, including Egypt and the United States, are urged to work out a permanent truce as soon as possible.

To counter rocket attacks by Hamas, Israel launched air raids against Gaza on Dec. 27 and poured ground forces into the area Jan. 3. In mid-December, Hamas had decided not to renew a six-month cease-fire brokered by Egypt, thus sowing the seeds for conflict this time around. But that decision had been in response to the strengthened blockade of Gaza by Israel.

The conflict has killed 13 Israelis. But the Palestinian death toll tops 1,300, including some 410 children. About 5,300 Palestinians have been injured. Israel's offensive has caused an estimated $ 1.9 billion worth of damage to 22,000 buildings and has worsened humanitarian conditions for Gaza residents, who had suffered from the blockade. Allegations that Israel used white phosphorus shells should be investigated.

By inflicting serious damage to routes used to smuggle weapons into Gaza, Israel declared that it had achieved its military goal. But as expected, Hamas declared victory, saying its military struggle had forced Israel to stop its offensive.

An agreement signed by Israel and the Bush administration of the United States helped Israel declare a ceasefire. Under the agreement, the United States will provide technical assistance to destroy tunnels used to smuggle new weapons to Hamas from the Egyptian Sinai. Monitoring forces also will be deployed.

Stabilization of the Gaza situation is unlikely unless the blockade against it is loosened to the degree Hamas desires. But as long as Hamas sticks to its position that it does not recognize the existence of Israel, this will not happen. Hamas should rethink its basic stance toward Israel. New U.S. President Barack Obama can help bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians, first, by listening closely to each side's assertions.

パレスチナ自治区ガザへ攻撃を続けたイスラエルがイスラム原理主義組織ハマスとの停戦を宣言し、ハマス側も停戦に入った。共に一方的決定だが、恒久和平に向けた方策が望まれる。紛争による死者は1300人以上、負傷者は5000人以上を数え、白リン弾使用も指摘されている。

イスラエルが停戦を決めたのは、ハマスの武器密輸ルートの破壊のための支援や監視にあたる軍の派遣の確約を米国から得たからだ。

ハマスがイスラエルの存在を認めない限り、ガザ封鎖の解除もなく、地域の安定化は難しいだろう。ハマスはイスラエルに対する基本的姿勢を見直すべきだ。オバマ米大統領には両者との対話をとおして和平を促すことを期待したい。