Ceasefire Soon!

The war still wages in the Middle East or Western Asia as it is sometimes called. Israel waits for Iran's strike back, Hamas is still fighting with Israel in Gaza, and the Houthis and pro-ran-elements in Iraq and Syria are still a threat. Israel and Hezbollah are still lobbing projectiles at each other. There seems to be no way out of this continuing cycle of conflict. There have been a myriad peace deals on the table. However, so far they have all come to nought. So, the suffering on all sides goes on and on.

Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati hopes a peace deal may come into effect soon. Mr. Mikati said it could be a matter of hours or days. This is very optimistic and perhaps over-optimistic unless the Lebanese PM knows something we don't. The Israeli broadcaster Kan said the deal was written by the US on 26 October. Israel would pull out within a week of both sides accepting the deal. The truce will last 60 days after Israel's pull-back from southern Lebanon. However, should there be any hostile acts by Hezbollah Israel has the "right to defend itself".

Mr. Mikati had been in talks with Biden's Middle Envoy Mr. Hochstein. So Mr. Mikati heard straight from the US envoy's mouth, so to speak. Mr. Mikakti suggested that the truce could be in place before November 5. That is the key date when we know who will succeed Joe Biden. Biden remains President until January. Then it will be the Second Coming of Trump or Harris as Biden's chosen successor.

However, a White House spokesperson has urged caution. The spokesperson said there were ongoing peace negotiations but people shouldn't get ahead of themselves. In other words, these peace talks may come to nought. Hence the spokesperson urged those who hoped for peace to be cautious. Peace, any peace at all, however long or short, would be welcomed by those involved in the war be they civilian or combatant. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah have officially commented on this so-called truce.

However, the comments of the newly elected leader of Hezbollah pour cold water on any optimism. Naim Qassem said earlier that the group would keep on fighting until victory.

Peace as I said before has been vaunted much. But every time a peace deal or truce seems near, Netanyahu says "NO". As long as the war is ongoing Netanyahu can stay in power forever. It keeps him from prosecution both in his own country and internationally. Also, he may see war as a chance to destroy Israel's enemies once and for all. Israel has delivered much destruction on its enemies. Israel has taken out the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah and dealt the organisations crushing blows. Thousands of Lebanese and Gazan civilians have paid the price. However, both Hamas and Hezbollah have gone on resisting dealing loss to Israel in civilians, military personnel, and equipment.

So with Netanyhu's rhetoric to fight on and Hezbollah's leader saying the same thing peace looks as distant as ever. Peace in the Middle East must be the most overused word ever. From the time of The Old Testament through to today this area of the world has seen conflict after conflict. It must be the most fought-over real estate on the face of the planet. And what for at the end of the day? Religion, politics, control of land, etc.

As with any war including the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia, it's ordinary people who pay the price. While their governments use the justification of war to carry out whatever agenda they wish.