A Truce Is Not Enough

If it is not followed by a prolonged halt to the fighting and the lifting of the blockade, it will be a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed.

Politico reports on the truce and hostage deal:

There was no sense that the pause would turn into a lengthier cease-fire, a senior administration official said. And there was some concern in the administration about an unintended consequence of the pause: that it would allow journalists broader access to Gaza and the opportunity to further illuminate the devastation there and turn public opinion on Israel.

The truce is welcome, and the release of any hostages is good news. Unfortunately, if a the truce is just a prelude to a resumption of the same devastating military campaign and a continuation of the siege it will not make much of a difference to the larger humanitarian crisis. If it is not followed by a prolonged halt to the fighting and the lifting of the blockade, it will be a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed.