Gaza: Ceasefire gives the peace chance

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-27-2006 15:34

Though unexpected, the ceasefire comes at the right time for parties concerned.

One of the benefits could be a much anticipated but difficult to realize summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The ceasefire also helps ease domestic political pressure in both the US and Israel.

Several hours after the ceasefire went into effect, the Israeli government made it clear that if the ceasefire holds a summit meeting between Olmert and Abbas would not be far away.

Some Palestinian officials have even said that they hope the truce could be extended to cover the West Bank.

For both sides, the deal could help revive peacemaking that collapsed six years ago before a Palestinian uprising began.

Adherence to the agreement could also help speed up the Palestinian political progress that's been deadlocked for months.

With the ceasefire in place, Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya are more likely to concentrate on finalizing talks on forming a unity government.

Palestinian leaders hope the new government will help ease sanctions imposed by the West after the Hamas-led government took office eight months ago.

Progress in ending violence in the region also comes as a relief for Washington.

Both US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will visit the region this week to try to push forward peace in the Middle East. For a government widely criticized over its Iraq policy, progress in the Middle East would be quite a big boost to US morale.

A ceasefire could also ease domestic pressure on Olmert. His popularity ratings have plummeted to a record low after Israel's month-long conflict with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon this summer.

However, prospects for the truce remain uncertain.

Some of the ceasefires in the past were short-lived. And some Israeli military officials fear that Palestinian militant groups will take this opportunity to rearm.

Editor:Du Xiaodan