As fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes hold, what’s next for Gaza?

Now that Hezbollah has agreed to pause fighting, the question remains of where the truce leaves Hamas and its own war with Israel.

Fighting may appear to be winding down between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, but it remains to be seen how the truce might affect Palestinians desperate for the war in Gaza to end, as well as some of the anguished families of hostages waiting for their loved ones’ return.

On a visit to the Czech Republic on Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel would end the war in Gaza when it “achieves its objectives” of returning the hostages held by Hamas and ensuring the militant group no longer controls the enclave.

“Right now, it is very hard” to see a Palestinian partner for peace, Sa’ar said, before adding that “we believe that eventually peace is inevitable.”

Hamas, meanwhile, has said it is hopeful that any deal with Hezbollah would lead to the end of hostilities in the devastated Palestinian enclave. The group has not indicated that it has shifted from previous negotiating positions of accepting only a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as necessary precursors for releasing any more hostages.

The sense that a pause in fighting at the Lebanese border appears unlikely to spread south in the short term was shared by ordinary residents of Gaza. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/gaza-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-hostages-rcna181973

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