It will be a big step forward in the efforts towards peace in the Middle East, if Israel and Hamas can work out the fine points in the current peace proposals before them.
While there is real reason to believe that a declared ceasefire of weeks or even months could lead to a complete peace deal, such optimism should be tempered with caution as several orbital factors could derail the process.
I note that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is steadfastly maintaining his pledge that Israel will make an incursion into Rafah, ceasefire or not.
I am incredulous that even the mighty US and its allies are forced to build a floating dock, several kilometres seaward of Gaza, in order to supply aid to the Gazans — whose situation is dire.
While the world wishes success to that project, one must consider what the likelihood of it being a success is. Will the Houthis allow the passage of ships to supply the platform?
They will have great leverage if they again target shipping which might be seen as aiding Israel in any manner.
It seems to me that the idea of a transit camp in the Sinai Desert would still have merit to save many Palestinians who still are at risk.
Dennis Pennefather
