A ceasefire requires the cooperation of many actors with competing interests in a conflict. As Guy and Heidi Burgess point out, “conflict profiteers” often have a financial interest in the continuation of hostilities; while hardliners may seek to prolong a war or even achieve total destruction of the enemy.”
This is why it’s important for regional and international organizations to amplify civilian voices during ceasefire negotiations and implementation. By doing so, they can promote a vision of peace that is inclusive of marginalized and conflict-affected communities. Furthermore, they can put sustained pressure on conflict parties and third-party states exploiting a conflict for their own ends.
To sustain a ceasefire, a clear and enforceable agreement is required. In drafting the terms of this agreement, the Biden administration has sought to ensure accountability mechanisms are in place. This includes creating a verification mechanism based in Cairo with representatives from Israel, Hamas, and the mediators—the US, Egypt, and Qatar. This system has already been tested during a crisis in which Israel accused Hamas of breaching the terms of the ceasefire by not releasing a living hostage.
The American delegation to the negotiations has pushed Israel to honor its commitments in the first phase, such as releasing 33 living hostages and allowing hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza each day. The agreement also calls for the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon, and enshrines a plan for rebuilding Gaza.
