The Guardian view on Gaza’s future: the ceasefire and hostage deal must not fizzle out | Editorial

As Donald Trump persists with a monstrous proposal to remove Palestinians, the immediate need is to prevent fresh conflict
The pain and damage wreaked in the last 16 months will reverberate through families, communities and the Middle East for decades to come. On Thursday, the bodies of two young children and their mother, and that of an 83-year-old peace activist, were returned to Israel by Hamas. They were kidnapped in the 7 October 2023 raid in which the militants killed around 1,200 Israelis and others. Around 48,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its war in response.
It was always feared that the ceasefire deal, which has brought desperately needed respite for Palestinians in Gaza and the return of Israeli and foreign hostages, would be fleeting. The six-week opening stage is due to expire on 1 March. The talks on the more complicated second stage have yet to begin, more than a fortnight after they were due.
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...-
Concerns for ceasefire as Israel accuses Hamas of breaking promise to return hostage remains
Israel says Hamas is violating the ceasefire deal over the return of hostage remains. Israel identified the bodies of a 4-year-old and his 9-month-old brother, but forensic tests revealed a third ...CBS News - 3h -
Europe must secure Ukraine's future if US won't, ex-Army head says
Sir Nick Carter says "others are going to have to step up to the plate" if the US does not want to.BBC News - 7h -
BBC pulls Gaza film as it carries out checks over Hamas links
The broadcaster has removed the documentary from its streaming service while it carries out "further due diligence".BBC News - 4h -
We asked the people of Gaza how they saw their future – this is what we found | Nils Mallock
Support for Hamas is declining – no obvious alternative has emerged, but our poll shows there are reasons to be hopeful. Nils Mallock is research fellow at the XCEPT research group at King’s ...The Guardian - 7h -
As Truce Talks Stall, Fears Mount for Israeli Hostages in Gaza After 500 Days
“I was in Gaza. I survived. Keith survived. Others will not,” said Aviva Siegel, who with her husband was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. She urged the Israeli government to secure the release of ...The New York Times - 7h -
As Truce Talks Stall, Fears Mount for Israeli Hostages in Gaza After 500 Days
“I was in Gaza. I survived. Keith survived. Others will not,” said Aviva Siegel, who with her husband was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. She urged the Israeli government to secure the release of ...The New York Times - 7h -
Another ceasefire is under threat from Trump – the precarious deal between Lebanon and Israel | Mohamad Bazzi
Israel, seemingly with the US president’s blessing, has kept troops inside Lebanon. Renewed conflict with Hezbollah is looming. As global attention remains focused on the hostage-prisoner swaps ...The Guardian - 4h -
ESPN says it will end MLB broadcasts after striking out on deal
ESPN will likely hang up its baseball mitts after 36 seasons. The cable sports giant failed to renegotiate contract terms with the league.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
ESPN says it will end MLB broadcasts after striking out on deal
ESPN will likely hang up its baseball mitts after 36 seasons. The cable sports giant failed to renegotiate contract terms with the league.Los Angeles Times - 14h
More from The Guardian
-
Middle East crisis live: Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children with their ‘bare hands’
Statement from IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas claim the family was killed in an airstrike. One of the four bodies returned by Hamas to Israel on Thursday is not that of Shiri Bibas, Israel’s ...The Guardian - 29m -
French far-right leader cancels CPAC speech over Steve Bannon’s ‘Nazi’ salute
Jordan Bardella calls off US address after former Trump aide makes controversial gesture with outstretched arm onstage. The French far-right leader Jordan Bardella on Friday morning cancelled a ...The Guardian - 1h -
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. National security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd ...The Guardian - 23m -
Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann charged with stalking
Julia Wandel allegedly sent letters, calls, WhatsApps and visited family of missing girl . A woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been remanded in custody after being charged with stalking ...The Guardian - 3h -
Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple says removal of tool after government asked for right to see data will make iCloud users more vulnerable. Business live – latest updates Apple has taken the unprecedented step of ...The Guardian - 34m
More in World
-
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. National security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd ...The Guardian - 23m -
South Carolina man to be killed in US’s first firing squad execution in 15 years
Brad Sigmon, 67, chooses to be shot dead amid concerns that lethal injections have caused ‘excruciating’ pain. A South Carolina man on death row has chosen to be killed by firing squad, and if ...The Guardian - 25m -
Middle East crisis live: Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children with their ‘bare hands’
Statement from IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas claim the family was killed in an airstrike. One of the four bodies returned by Hamas to Israel on Thursday is not that of Shiri Bibas, Israel’s ...The Guardian - 29m -
Pep Guardiola on Haaland injury and De Bruyne absence – live football news
Champions League draw: PSG-Liverpool, Madrid derby Europa League: Spurs face AZ, Man Utd face Sociedad Get in touch with Rob | Sign up to Football Daily here A video explains just how the ...The Guardian - 30m -
Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple says removal of tool after government asked for right to see data will make iCloud users more vulnerable. Business live – latest updates Apple has taken the unprecedented step of ...The Guardian - 34m