Introduction
Peacemaking efforts might be especially complex in times of war as the belligerents are blinded by hatred, aggression, and the history of past events. These memories often serve as the trigger for the development of a conflict and its transformation into a military opposition. In the proposed article, the importance of the Israel and Hamas cease-fire is discussed. It is considered a peacemaking incentive that might help to save the lives of hostages and make an agreement that will end the conflict. Thus, the given process might be complex because of the history and memories that serve as fuel for new clashes.
How Historical Grievances Fuel New Conflicts
The conflict described in the article is one of the biggest tragedies of the modern era. The war between Israel and Hamas started after the Hamas-led assault on October 7, when around 200 people were taken as hostages by the terrorist organization (Minsberg). The agreement of cease-fire became a serious step towards peacemaking, as after the event, Israel attacked the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the thousands of deaths of ordinary people living there. However, regardless of the attempts to find a solution, the situation is complicated by the history of past oppositions and territorial claims. The article shows that the pause is the only possible compromise nowadays.
Thus, events of the past often lead to aggravation of relations between parties. At the same time, the practice of official forgetting cannot be effective (Sorensen 284). It will result in the situation to those described in the article, as the unresolved tensions transformed into war. Instead, historical memories should be discussed and processed to guarantee there is an understanding of how future generations can build peace and avoid new conflicts (Sorensen 285). Accepting a new reality, free from the influence of negative memories, is a more practical way to establish positive peace.
Conclusion
Altogether, it is possible to conclude that memories of past conflicts can often serve as the basis for conflicts and peacemaking incentives. In the selected news article, the cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict is the only possible way to protect innocent people, while full peace is currently impossible. It is linked to the inability to process, embrace, and discuss memories and find the common ground for dispute. It is impossible to use history as the source of hatred, and new generations should be free from that poison; otherwise, they will face the same challenges in the future.
Works Cited
Minsberg, Talya, et al. “Hamas and Israel Extend Cease-Fire for 2 Days, Qatar Says.” The New York Times, 2023. Web.
Sorensen, Kristin. “Communication for Memory and Peace: Articulating Violence in Postrepressive Contexts.” Communication and Peace, edited by Julia Hoffmann and Virgil Hawkins, Routledge, 2015, pp. 277-288.