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The newly announced Gaza ceasefire must represent more than a temporary pause in hostilities and instead become the foundation for genuine, enduring peace across Palestine and the Middle East, according to Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes.
Mr Hughes responded to news this week of an agreement covering a ceasefire alongside arrangements for returning Palestinian prisoners and releasing Israeli captives, describing the development as a critical juncture that demands sustained commitment from all parties involved.
Mr Hughes welcomed the breakthrough whilst emphasising the magnitude of what must follow. "While this is only the first phase, it must mark a step change in guaranteeing a durable peace process for Palestine, and the wider Middle East. It must open a path to Palestinian self-determination and national sovereignty."
The MP painted a stark picture of the conflict's human cost, describing two years of intensive bombardment that has devastated the Gaza Strip. "For two years, Israel has relentlessly bombarded the Gaza Strip, making it a graveyard for international law and the most dangerous place on the planet to be a child," Mr Hughes said.
He characterised the conflict in severe terms, arguing that Western support had enabled Israeli actions. "Israel has waged a genocide against the Palestinian people, marked by state-sponsored famine, ethnic cleansing, mass displacement and collective punishment, while given political cover, funding and weapons by the US, Britain and other Western states. At the same time, annexation and ethnic cleansing are being systematically implemented in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This must stop."
Mr Hughes identified the ceasefire as containing both promise and peril for Palestinians. "The talks breakthrough represents a pivotal moment for the people of Palestine. It holds within it both positive potential and significant challenges. The immediate focus must be mitigating the suffering and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. There should be no delay in delivering unrestricted medical and humanitarian aid at scale to the beleaguered enclave and in beginning the reconstruction of Gaza."
Looking beyond immediate humanitarian needs, the Newry MP outlined his vision for substantive negotiations addressing fundamental issues rather than superficial arrangements. "A potential opportunity now exists to establish a peace process based upon continuing negotiations which addresses all relevant issues. This talks process must address the root causes of Israel's illegal occupation and apartheid system in Palestine."
Mr Hughes stressed that successful peace depends entirely on genuine engagement from all sides, with particular emphasis on enforcement mechanisms. "The creation of a permanent peace process established within the framework of international law, and its success, will depend on all sides continuing to negotiate with good faith. Agreements made must be honoured. Guarantees on implementation will be essential. That extends to the US and other guarantors holding Israel to its commitments, ensuring a withdrawal of all Israeli forces, and demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip."
The MP concluded by calling for coordinated international action to transform this moment into lasting change, arguing that global institutions must unite behind Palestinian aspirations. "Increased global pressure to ensure compliance with international law is now more urgent than ever. Multilateral institutions, the Arab world and progressive governments and parties throughout the international community must act together, and speak with one political voice, to ensure the hopes of the Palestinian people for peace, justice and national freedom are realised in the coming period."
