KUALA LUMPUR: The four-day truce between Israel and Hamas in Palestine announced yesterday is the first ceasefire since Oct 7.
Although the truce is not a definite end to the ongoing violence, analysts say it is a move in the right direction.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Professor Dr Azmi Hassan said the four-day truce is the beginning of better things or days to come for Hamas and Israel, including a possible permanent ceasefire.
'Although this truce is on humanitarian grounds, it is something worth celebrating because getting Israel and Hamas to agree itself is considered a good start for a permanent truce," he said.
Azmi said with a neutral mediator it is proven that there is still hope for the two sides to cease fighting.
"In this case, Qatar played the role of mediator backed by help from the United States behind the scenes. This truce is something very positive," he added.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day truce mediated by Qatar that will see the release of 50 women and children held captive in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.
The deal was announced on Wednesday, and the starting time is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, reports said.
International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) Head of Islamic Civilisation and Jewish Studies Assistant Professor, Dr Ahmad El-Muhammady said it is good news for the people of Gaza, the world and hostages.
"I think we have to give credit to Qatar as mediator in this negotiation. It played a critical role in this effort.
However, our worries now are how long this situation can last.
"I believe the world is hoping for more sustainable and lasting peace, while both Hamas and Israel can work out the way forward for a better Palestine," he said.
Ahmad said this would also give time for the healthcare system in Palestine to take a breather.
"This ceasefire should (have) come much earlier. Unfortunately, it came only after more than 14,000 lives were lost and total destruction of Gaza. It is a great tragedy for humanity," he added.
He said this is the right moment for OIC countries to weigh in to play an active role to create an environment for lasting peace.
"The way forward for Gaza and Palestine should be made now".
Senior Research Fellow for the Asia Middle East Centre for Research & Dialogue, KL, Dr Ferooze Ali said the ceasefire centered on Israeli hostages.
"That is the main goal of Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu from the first day of the war - to get Israeli hostages out.
"He needs to achieve that objective as a way of salvaging his political position in Israel," he said.
Ferooze added initially, Netanyahu had been trying to extract the hostages via military.
"That did not materialise. However, when Hamas agreed for an exchange, Netanyahu immediately agreed.
"How long will this ceasefire will last? It depends on the potential release of other hostages. Israel will likely get into military mode, if its demands for further release is not entertained by Hamas," he added.
So far at least 14,000 innocent lives including women and children have been claimed by the attack which started on Oct 7.
Reports say although the two sides have agreed to a four-day pause in fighting, Israel has made it clear that it is not ending the war.
The truce agreement was mediated by Qatar, which had been leading negotiations between Israel and Hamas, while coordinating with other regional and global powers, including the United States and Egypt.