The debate over a “cease-fire” for Gaza

​People hold a placard in a demonstration demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, in Paris, France, on Nov. 11, 2023.

People hold a placard in a demonstration demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, in Paris, France, on Nov. 11, 2023.

REUTERS/Claudia Greco

There have been growing calls across the globe for a cease-fire in Gaza. Meanwhile, some world leaders have called for humanitarian pauses.

Here’s a breakdown of what these terms mean:

What’s a cease-fire? This is when warring parties agree to set down their weapons and stop fighting for an extended period of time. It typically involves negotiations and could pave the way for a permanent political settlement.

What’s a humanitarian pause? This is briefer and less comprehensive than a cease-fire. It effectively means hitting the pause button on a conflict for a short period – for days or even just hours – to allow people to escape a conflict zone and/or to let aid flow into the area.

Who is calling for what? The US government, Israel’s greatest ally, has advocated for humanitarian pauses. Most US allies have issued similar calls to President Joe Biden, though French President Emmanuel Macron recently broke ranks and called for a cease-fire. UN chief António Guterres has also called for a cease-fire.

They and other proponents of a cease-fire point to the rising Palestinian death toll and escalating humanitarian crisis as Israel continues air strikes and expands its ground operations in Gaza. Opponents argue that ceasing fire would allow Hamas to regroup and pose a continued threat to Israel.

Israel’s view: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected calls for a cease-fire but did recently agree to four-hour daily pauses of fighting. There are also reportedly negotiations underway for Hamas to release dozens of hostages in exchange for a multiday pause in the fighting and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

One expert’s view: Israel’s goal of destroying Hamas remains one of the biggest obstacles to a cease-fire, says Mohammed Abu-Nimer, a professor of international conflict resolution at American University in Washington, DC, noting that it’s “unattainable” because it’s impossible to eradicate an ideology.

“It's basically a situation where one government, one side is saying, ‘We are going to eliminate you, and therefore we're not going to stop bombarding you’,” says Abu-Nimer.

“But Israel and Hamas have had many cease-fires in the past,” he adds. “And they have exchanged hostages and prisoners. They've done that before. Everyone knows that it's possible to have it, and it's possible to reach an agreement."

Previous cease-fires between Israel and Hamas, however, have ended inconclusively, leaving the door open to future conflict.

A humanitarian pause is “needed” in Gaza to avoid “massive loss of life” due to both the constant bombing and “conditions on the ground,” Abu-Nimer says.

But a cease-fire would go further and allow for necessary dialogue on “what arrangements Israel needs in Gaza for it to secure its border" and what Palestinians need in terms of their own safety and freedoms, he adds.

More from GZERO Media

Syrians living in Turkey, holding a picture of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, celebrate after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024.
REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has wanted this for years -- but what could go wrong?

- YouTube

Why did you originally think Assad would be able to resist being overthrown? What led you to believe Yoon's martial law declaration would fail in South Korea? What's another major geopolitical assessment you've made that played out differently than expected, and what does it reveal about the complexities of global politics? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week on World In :60.

FREIBERG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 10: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not pictured) speak to the media following talks over lithium mining on December 10, 2024 in Freiberg, Germany. Germany and Serbia will be cooperating in the sustainable mining of lithium, a critical substance for the production of batteries for electric cars. A company called Zinnwald Lithium GmbH intends to mine up to 15,000 tons of lithium annually in the region of Saxony near Freiberg, enough to build one million electric car batteries. Serbia also has extensive lithium deposits.
(Photo by Sean Gallup - Pool/Getty Images) via Reuters

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Tuesday said he would not flee in the face of demonstrations against his administration.

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a signing ceremony for an addendum to the works on the Transnordestina railway, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil November 28, 2024.
REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo

On Tuesday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underwent a successful craniotomy in Sao Paolo after complaining of a severe headache.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu smiles as he prepares to testify in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv on Dec. 10, 2024.
Menahem Kahana/Pool via Reuters

Israel has launched over 350 airstrikes this week targeting naval bases, ships, ammunition depots, and weapon facilities across Syria, devastating the Syrian Army’s remaining capabilities, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Walmart provides opportunities for associates to unlock their potential and grow their careers. With a $1 billion investment in career-driven training and development programs, Walmart provides associates with opportunities to grow from hourly roles to salaried management positions. In the past two years, over 300,000 associates have earned promotions into positions with higher pay and greater responsibility. Whether it’s a first job, next step, or second career, there is a path for anyone at Walmart. Learn how Walmart is supporting careers.

In October 2023, 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean signed the "Declaración de Santiago," a commitment to responsible AI development tailored to the region's cultural context and needs. Microsoft’s Global Perspectives: Responsible AI Fellows and CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean recently released a report exploring how AI can help achieve the UN SDGs. From health and wellness to gender equality and sustainable tourism, AI is unlocking solutions to longstanding challenges. Learn more.

Marine Tondelier, of Les Ecologistes party, talks to journalists next to colleagues as they leave a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Dec. 10. They had met with the French president as part of consultations aimed at appointing a new prime minister.
REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

On Tuesday, France’s President Emmanuel Macron hosted a meeting with the leaders of center, center-right, and center-left political parties at the Elysee Palace in a bid to end France’s political crisis by building support for a new prime minister and a 2025 budget.

- YouTube

President-elect Donald Trump has made no secret of his love of tariffs, vowing steep import taxes on China, Mexico, Canada, and almost every product that crosses the US border on his first day in office. Will they boost US jobs and manufacturing, as Trump promises, or lead to rising inflation, as many economists warn? On GZERO World, Oren Cass, founder and chief economist at conservative think tank American Compass, joins Ian Bremmer for an in-depth discussion about Trump’s tariff plan and the future of US-China trade policy.