Will we finally see an end to the war in Gaza?

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Will We Finally See an End to the War in Gaza?

Release Date: January 16, 2025

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Introduction to the Ceasefire Deal

In the latest episode of NPR's Consider This, the hosts delve into the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aiming to bring an end to the protracted conflict in Gaza. The episode opens with the harrowing account of Shimah Ahmed, a 21-year-old engineering student residing in Gaza, who shares her terrifying experience amidst continued bombings despite the announced ceasefire.

Shimah Ahmed (00:00): "Last night was horrible."

Layla Fadel (00:02): "That's 21 year old Shimah Ahmed, an engineering student living in Gaza, speaking with Morning Edition's Layla Fadel Thursday morning."

Challenges in the Negotiations

Greg Myre, an NPR foreign policy expert stationed in Tel Aviv, highlights the complexity and difficulty of brokering the ceasefire deal. He describes the negotiations as some of the toughest he has ever experienced, underscoring the intricate dynamics between the involved parties.

Greg Myre (00:23): "The road to this deal has not been easy. I worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the toughest negotiations I've ever experienced."

The ceasefire, planned to commence on Sunday, is structured to unfold in phases over several weeks. The initial phase involves the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas and the liberation of approximately 1,000 Israeli prisoners. Additionally, there is an expected surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the long-term governance of Gaza and the financial aspects of rebuilding the war-torn region.

Current Status and Ongoing Conflict

Despite the announcement, skepticism persists, particularly among Gazans like Ahmed, who fears that the ceasefire may not hold. This skepticism intensified when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed a cabinet vote on the deal, citing Hamas's alleged non-compliance with certain terms. In contrast, a Hamas official reaffirmed the group's commitment to the agreement, though specifics were not disclosed.

Shimah Ahmed (00:50): "We have developed this mechanism to kind of protect ourselves, which is basically by stopping to develop any kind of hope."

Greg Myre provides a detailed update on the situation, noting that Israeli airstrikes continue unabated, resulting in significant Palestinian casualties.

Greg Myre (03:43): "Some pretty heavy Israeli airstrikes yesterday and today. More than 80 Palestinians have been killed and more than 200 injured in the past two days, according to Palestinian health officials."

Role of US Political Figures

The episode explores the influence of former President Donald Trump on the ceasefire negotiations. Trump, who advocated for a ceasefire prior to his presidency, actively participated by sending his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to assist in the final stages of the negotiations in Qatar. Greg Myre draws parallels between the current ceasefire and Trump's 2020 agreement with the Taliban, suggesting that the forthcoming challenges will test the durability of the deal.

Greg Myre (05:16): "Trump will inherit the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and there will be challenging days ahead."

Reactions on US College Campuses

The episode shifts focus to the reactions within US college campuses, which have been deeply divided over the Gaza conflict since October 7, 2023. Maya Goel, a sophomore at Wayne State University, shares her mixed feelings about the ceasefire: relief over the potential release of hostages juxtaposed with concerns about the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, some of whom have been implicated in past attacks against Israelis.

Maya Goel (07:02): "When Maya Goel... first heard about the deal, she headed straight for Hillel, the Jewish student organization, both nervous and excited."

Students like Akiva Zeff from Boston University express hope that the ceasefire could reduce heated accusations and foster more nuanced discussions about the conflict.

Ari Shapiro (08:08): "I can only hope that this simmers down because it's very charged and that removes a lot of nuance from what is an exceptionally nuanced situation."

However, activists such as Mahmoud Muhaison from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, remain energized, viewing the ceasefire as a victory while continuing to push for broader systemic changes.

Mahmoud Muhaison (08:59): "More than two dozen students are planning to run for positions within Michigan's state Democratic Party since he says national Democrats betrayed them."

Future Prospects and Unresolved Issues

The episode underscores that while the ceasefire is a significant milestone, numerous critical issues remain unresolved. These include the governance of Gaza post-ceasefire, the financial burden of reconstruction, and the fate of hostages and prisoners exchanged between the two parties. Additionally, the complexity of ensuring long-term peace amidst deep-seated mistrust and political opposition poses substantial challenges.

Greg Myre (04:24): "It's not going to happen in a day. This first phase of the deal alone lasts six weeks."

Conclusion

As Consider This wraps up, the hosts reflect on the precarious nature of the ceasefire agreement and the uncertain path ahead. The episode emphasizes the fragile hope that the ceasefire could pave the way for lasting peace, while also acknowledging the significant obstacles that must be overcome to ensure its success.

Ari Shapiro (09:23): "It would be a shame for all the sacrifice and all the martyrdom that happened inside of Gaza to go in vain."

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Notable Quotes

• Shimah Ahmed (00:50): "We have developed this mechanism to kind of protect ourselves, which is basically by stopping to develop any kind of hope."
• Greg Myre (00:23): "This is one of the toughest negotiations I've ever experienced."
• Greg Myre (03:47): "Israel acknowledged hitting around 50 targets in Gaza... one of them was a Hamas militant who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack in Southern Israel that launched war."
• Greg Myre (05:27): "Trump will inherit the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and there will be challenging days ahead."
• Ari Shapiro (08:08): "I can only hope that this simmers down because it's very charged and that removes a lot of nuance from what is an exceptionally nuanced situation."
• Ari Shapiro (09:23): "It would be a shame for all the sacrifice and all the martyrdom that happened inside of Gaza to go in vain."

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This comprehensive summary captures the multifaceted discussions surrounding the ceasefire in Gaza, reflecting on the negotiations, current status, political influences, and societal reactions. It provides listeners and readers alike with a clear understanding of the complexities involved in potentially ending the long-standing conflict.

Transcript

[Shimah Ahmed]

Last night was horrible.

[Layla Fadel]

That's 21 year old Shimah Ahmed, an engineering student living in Gaza, speaking with Morning Edition's Layla Fadel Thursday morning.

[Shimah Ahmed]

The bombing didn't stop throughout the night.

[Layla Fadel]

The bombing she is describing happened hours after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced by negotiators in Qatar and President Joe Biden in Washington.

[Greg Myre]

The road to this deal has not been easy. I worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the toughest negotiations I've ever experienced.

[Layla Fadel]

The ceasefire, designed to happen in phases, is supposed to begin on Sunday. But while celebrations happened in both Israel and Gaza, skepticism over whether the fighting will actually stop remains, particularly for those still in Gaza like Ahmed.

[Shimah Ahmed]

We have developed this mechanism to kind of protect ourselves, which is basically by stopping to develop any kind of hope.

[Layla Fadel]

That skepticism and fear was fueled on Thursday morning after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the deal and accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement. A Hamas official said on social media that the group is committed to the agreement announced Wednesday. Neither provided any further details. Consider this after more than 15 long months, tens of thousands of people dead and close to 2 million people displaced, will we finally see an end to.

[Ari Shapiro]

The war in Gaza?

[Layla Fadel]

From npr, I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

[Ron Rutson]

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[Layla Fadel]

It's Consider this from NPR. At the time we publish this episode, Israel's government has yet to accept the terms of the long negotiated and hard fought ceasefire deal announced yesterday. The deal is still on, but quarreling over the details demonstrates how difficult it is to keep the agreement on track. NPR's Greg Myre is in Tel Aviv and spoke with my co host Ari Shapiro.

[N/A]

What's the stumbling block here?

[Greg Myre]

Yeah, Israel's Cabinet needs to approve the deal and was expected to meet and do so today. But the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was reneging on part of the deal. Now, it didn't specify what part. Hamas said this wasn't true. It's still committed to the agreement. The net result was the Israeli cabinet didn't meet. A session is now planned for Friday. One far right Israeli party is voting against it and threatening to resign. It calls the deal a surrender to Hamas. But the agreement is expected to comfortably pass.

[N/A]

And in the meantime, fighting is continuing in Gaza, right?

[Greg Myre]

That's right. Some pretty heavy Israeli airstrikes yesterday and today. More than 80 Palestinians have been killed and more than 200 injured in the past two days, according to Palestinian health officials. Now, Israel acknowledged hitting around 50 targets in Gaza. It says one of them was a Hamas militant who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack in Southern Israel that launched war. And Ari, we've certainly seen this in the past where quite intense shooting takes place when a ceasefire is just about to take effect.

[N/A]

So when is the earliest a cease fire deal might go into effect?

[Greg Myre]

Well, Sunday looks like it would be the first day. And we should stress this is a process that even if it goes as planned, will play out over many weeks. It's not going to happen in a day. This first phase of the deal alone lasts six weeks. Hamas is obligated to release 33 of the 98 hostages in Gaza. Israel will free about 1,000 prisoners during this period. And aid is supposed to surge into Gaza. But the hostages won't all be freed until a second phase. Some Israeli troops will remain in Gaza for many weeks to come. And then even if everything is still moving along, we'll get to the really hard stuff. Who's going to rule Gaza after the Israeli troops leave? Who's going to pay for the rebuilding of the territory? So far, no clear answers to these very tough questions.

[N/A]

You know, President Elect Trump called for a ceasefire deal before taking office and it's now happening just days before his inauguration. Did his statements help drive this process?

[Greg Myre]

Well, Trump certainly believes so and he said so on social media. No one here is saying that explicitly, but there seems to be some certainly circumstantial evidence. He did send his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to take part with diplomats from the Biden administration in the final days of these negotiations in the Gulf country of Qatar. And you know, in taking credit, Trump is also assuming responsibility. It will be his ceasefire deal to manage come Monday. And there may be some irony here Ari it's kind of a reversal from the presidential transition four years ago. Trump made a deal in 2020 with the Taliban for US troops to leave Afghanistan. President Biden inherited that agreement, and when he withdrew U.S. troops, it turned into a real fiasco. Trump will inherit the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and there will be challenging days ahead. Remember, seven US citizens are among the hostages held in Gaza. At least some of them are believed to be alive. So the US has been involved in trying to resolve this conflict, and its role won't end just because there's a ceasefire deal.

[N/A]

That's NPR's Greg Myri in Tel Aviv. Thank you.

[Greg Myre]

Sure thing, Ari.

[Layla Fadel]

News of a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas spread quickly through US College campuses, which have been bitterly divided over the conflict in Gaza since October 7, 2023. NPR's Tovia Smith checked in with several students.

[Maya Goel]

When Maya Goel, a sophomore at Wayne State University in Detroit, first heard about the deal, she headed straight for Hillel, the Jewish student organization, both nervous and exc.

[Shimah Ahmed]

We just talked about all the hostages and how happy their families will be to have them back.

[Maya Goel]

But Goel also worries about the price Israel may pay to get back the 33 promised hostages. It would free about a thousand Palestinian detainees and prisoners, including some convicted of killing Israelis. That's especially hard to accept, Goel says, knowing that the October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar was one of the prisoners released in a hostage swap years ago.

[Shimah Ahmed]

It is a high price to pay. Like, who knows who these prisoners that are going to be released and who knows what they're going to do in the future? I feel like it's a no win situation.

[Maya Goel]

Several other students expressed similar dismay, but they're somewhat more optimistic about implications on campuses where tensions have been roiling. Boston University senior Akiva Zeff says he hopes the deal could shift focus away from some of the most incendiary accusations, like genocide and war crimes.

[Ari Shapiro]

I can only hope that this simmers down because it's very charged and that removes a lot of nuance from what is an exceptionally nuanced situation.

[Maya Goel]

The sentiment was shared by MIT senior Alex Edwards walking past the spot he recalls was packed last year with encampments, protesters and police.

[Ron Rutson]

We were just like, more like, whoa, what the hell is going on? This is, this is insane.

[Maya Goel]

I'm just here to learn, Edwards says. And the protests are a distraction.

[Ron Rutson]

I don't think demanding that MIT cuts ties with Israel is going to change Israel's policies.

[Maya Goel]

But many of those leading campus protests say they have no intention of letting up. Mahmoud Muhaison co founded the Muslim Coalition at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. If anything, he says he's now fired up by a deal he sees as a big win.

[Ari Shapiro]

When it happened, I went with a couple of friends and we drove around honking with the Palestinian flag and went and got sweets for all my coworkers and enjoyed the moment.

[Maya Goel]

Muhaison says more than two dozen students are planning to run for positions within Michigan's state Democratic Party since he says national Democrats betrayed them. The fight is ramping up, he says, not winding down.

[Ari Shapiro]

It would be a shame for all the sacrifice and all the martyrdom that happened inside of Gaza to go in vain.

[Maya Goel]

Barnard College junior Marie Adel Grasso agrees. She says a seat ceasefire has been top priority for pro Palestinian activists like her. Once that's achieved, she says, they can focus on the rest of their agenda.

[Shimah Ahmed]

For divestment and keep pushing for the US Government to stop funding Israel. And we will be working hard on explaining more complex settler colonial violence and.

[Maya Goel]

Hopefully people will keep showing up as a rallying cry. That may not resonate quite like calls for a ceasefire did, but it may end up spurring more serious and productive conversations about complex and nuanced issues that many students agree is sorely needed.

[Layla Fadel]

That was NPR's Tovia Smith. This episode was produced by Mark Rivers and Gurjeet Kaur. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

[N/A]

After more than a year of war between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire deal has been announced in Gaza. State of the World brings you the latest news. As the deal is tested and hostages are released, our reporters in the Middle east will provide details, context and reaction from the region and around the world. Listen to the State of the world podcast from NPR.

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[Greg Myre]

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[Layla Fadel]

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[Greg Myre]

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