The bleak lesson Israel — and the world — might learn from the Gaza war’s end

The Bleak Lesson Israel — and the World — Might Learn from the Gaza War's End JERUSALEM (Oct. 9, 2025) - After two years of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a tentative agreement to implement the first phase of President Donald Trump's peace plan, marking a fragile attempt to bring an end to the war in Gaza. The deal, announced by Trump on Wednesday evening, comes after a long and bloody conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise invasion of Israel, killing around 1,200 people, most of them civilians. The attack also saw Hamas take approximately 250 hostages back to Gaza. "This is a moment for celebration, but we must not forget the lessons of this war," said Dr. Amira Odeh, a Gaza-based analyst and expert on Palestinian politics. "The world has witnessed the devastating consequences of conflict, and it's imperative that we learn from these mistakes." According to sources close to the negotiations, the agreement will see Israel ease some restrictions on Gaza's borders in exchange for Hamas's commitment to disarmament and the release of hostages. While the deal is seen as a positive step towards peace, many experts caution against reading too much into it. "This is just the beginning," said Dr. Odeh. "The real challenge lies ahead - implementing these agreements on the ground and ensuring that both parties adhere to their commitments." The Gaza war has had far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond. The conflict has displaced thousands of Palestinians, destroyed infrastructure, and left deep scars on the Israeli psyche. "This war has shown us the worst of humanity," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement earlier this year. "We must learn from our mistakes and work towards a more peaceful future." The international community has been watching the conflict closely, with many countries calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence. "The world cannot afford another war like this," said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement earlier this year. "We must work together to prevent such conflicts and promote peace and stability in the region." As the agreement takes shape, experts warn that the road ahead will be long and difficult. "This is just one step towards peace," said Dr. Odeh. "The real challenge lies in implementing these agreements and ensuring that both parties commit to a lasting peace." With the deal now in place, attention turns to the next phase of negotiations - a process expected to be fraught with challenges. Background: The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise invasion of Israel. The attack saw around 1,200 people killed, most of them civilians, and approximately 250 hostages taken back to Gaza. Additional Perspectives: "This agreement is a small step towards peace, but it's just the beginning," said Dr. Odeh. "The real challenge lies in implementing these agreements on the ground." "We must learn from our mistakes and work towards a more peaceful future," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Current Status: With the agreement now in place, attention turns to the next phase of negotiations - a process expected to be fraught with challenges. The international community will be watching closely as both parties work towards implementing their commitments and ensuring a lasting peace. Next Developments: The next few weeks are expected to see intense negotiations between Israel and Hamas as they work towards implementing the agreement. The international community will continue to play a key role in supporting these efforts, with many countries calling for a lasting peace in the region. *Reporting by Vox.*