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The world stands once again at a perilous crossroads — a fragile window where peace in Gaza is barely holding, while the specter of war looms just beyond it. This ceasefire, however tenuous, is more than a diplomatic arrangement, it is a lifeline for millions of Palestinians who have endured one of the most brutal military campaigns of the 21st century.
But that lifeline could be severed at any moment if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, driven by political desperation and ideological extremism, finds an excuse to reignite the conflict. The consequences would be catastrophic — not only for Gaza but for the entire region and the global order that claims to uphold peace and justice.
Netanyahu’s recent posturing makes it clear that he is seeking an opportunity. Trapped by his far-right coalition partners, politically cornered and internationally isolated, he is a man seeking survival, not peace. He understands that a return to war can rally domestic support, shift attention from corruption charges and political failures and distract a restless Israeli public. But this cynical calculation would come at the cost of thousands of Palestinian lives — innocent men, women and children who have already endured unspeakable suffering.
The devastation in Gaza defies comprehension. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins. Hospitals operate under impossible conditions, with dwindling medical supplies and exhausted doctors performing surgeries without anesthesia. More than half of Gaza’s population has been displaced, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters that offer neither safety nor dignity. Hunger and disease are spreading rapidly, as clean water becomes scarce and infrastructure collapses. To resume hostilities now would not just be a continuation of war — it would be an act of extermination against a defenseless civilian population.
To resume hostilities now would be an act of extermination against a defenseless civilian population
Hani Hazaimeh
And yet, the risk of such a relapse remains disturbingly high. The Israeli government’s internal divisions, coupled with Netanyahu’s determination to project strength at any cost, make the ceasefire perilously fragile. For his extremist allies, any talk of negotiation or compromise is anathema. They view the current pause in fighting not as an opportunity for peace but as a tactical inconvenience — a delay in what they see as a “final victory” over Gaza.
This is precisely why the guarantors of the ceasefire — the US, Egypt, Turkiye and Qatar — must step up and assert firm, coordinated leadership. They are not mere facilitators, they are custodians of a fragile peace that holds the fate of millions in its balance. Washington, in particular, bears a special responsibility. As Israel’s principal ally, the US possesses both the leverage and the moral obligation to restrain Netanyahu’s reckless impulses. President Donald Trump and his administration cannot afford to remain passive observers or issue mere calls for “restraint.” They must use the full weight of American influence — diplomatic, political and military — to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that Israel adheres to its obligations under international law.
Egypt and Qatar, which have played pivotal roles in mediating between Israel and Hamas, must continue to serve as the steady hands preventing the collapse of the peace framework. Their mediation has proven indispensable in calming tensions, facilitating humanitarian aid and maintaining dialogue when others failed. Their efforts, however, need broader international reinforcement — particularly from the EU and the UN, both of which must take a firmer stance against Israeli violations and ensure accountability for any breach of the truce.
The UN Security Council must act with urgency and moral clarity. It can no longer afford to be paralyzed by political divisions and vetoes that render it impotent in the face of war crimes. A clear resolution that reinforces the ceasefire, guarantees the protection of civilians and lays the groundwork for a long-term political solution is imperative. Words of condemnation are not enough, what is needed is a robust monitoring mechanism, backed by international observers, to hold all parties — particularly Israel — accountable.
Any renewed assault on Gaza could ignite a broader Middle East confrontation with global consequences
Hani Hazaimeh
If the ceasefire collapses, the repercussions will extend far beyond Gaza’s borders. The region is already a tinderbox. Any renewed assault on Gaza could ignite fronts in Lebanon and the West Bank, draw in regional actors and risk a broader Middle East confrontation with global consequences.
Beyond geopolitics, however, lies a deeper moral question. How many times can the world watch Gaza burn before admitting its collective failure? How many children must die, how many families must vanish under the rubble, before the so-called champions of human rights act with conviction? The international community cannot claim ignorance; the images of suffering are too vivid, the evidence too overwhelming. To allow the war to resume would not merely be negligence — it would be complicity in one of the greatest humanitarian failures of our time.
There can be no justification for returning to the path of destruction. The language of “security operations” and “targeted strikes” is nothing more than a euphemism for collective punishment. What Gaza needs is not more bombs but rebuilding — hospitals, schools, homes and lives. What people need is not charity but justice: the right to live in safety, dignity and freedom, without fear of annihilation.
The peace deal now represents the final thread connecting Gaza to hope. It is the last remaining bridge between devastation and recovery. It must not be allowed to fail — not because it is perfect but because its failure would mean the complete collapse of any remaining faith in diplomacy or humanity. If this truce unravels, it will not be Netanyahu or his Cabinet who suffer. It will be Gaza’s children, once again, buried under the rubble of indifference and broken promises.
The guarantor nations must act now, decisively and unapologetically. They must hold the line against those who profit from chaos, who see in every missile a political opportunity and in every civilian death a military achievement. The US, Egypt, Qatar and the broader international community must declare with one voice: the war on Gaza must not resume — under any circumstances.
- Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman. X: @hanihazaimeh