Gaza Ceasefire. Being the Best of the West.

Wednesday 22nd November. Widespread media reports of a ceasfire deal between Israel and Hamas. As of the time of writing, on the above date no concrete details have been released other than a broad deal which is to involve the release of hostages. It may also transpire that a release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails forms part of the deal. Aid lorries too are reportedly to be allowed entry in Gaza.

Israels stated goal of "eliminating Hamas" is not done any military benefit with this ceasefire, should it hold. At least not in a strictly tactical sense. Absolutists of this aim and hardliners both in Israel and in the West did not prior to this deal subscribe to any ceasefire unless it included full surrender of Hamas in conjuntion with full release of hostages. The Telegraph newspaper in the UK for example found in a poll of its subscribers that a majority(56% at time of writing) did not agree with a ceasefire.

I would argue that a ceasefire is essential, not for moral or humanitarian reasons. It is essential strategically. If tactically, i.e on the ground it is not beneficial, and even counter-productive then this will be made up for long term on a macro strategic level. If Israel has any actual measurable way to achieve its war aims( and thats a big IF) it will need the precious resources of both time and relative good will of its partners. Allowing in aid to the beleaugred people of Gaza, and bringing home some, and hopefully many of those held hostage can only strengthen its hand.

Most if not all non western powers would not bind themselves or their confederates with hand wringing and concern over civilian casualties, theirs or others. The imperfect West does however. Israel must be the best of the West, and lean into this ceazefire fully. They will benefit from it in the long run. After all as they tell us, they are not like Iran and its fellows. That line though, like many of the borders of the region are quickly crossed without even realising you are in a land unrecognisable from before