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There is a very long way to go before a lasting peace can be achieved between Palestine and Israel, according to Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles as a ceasefire and hostage exchange takes place in the Middle East.
There were reports from the Palestine-elected Hamas government and Israeli government regarding the resumption of aid trucks to Gaza, the return of hostages to Israel and the release of criminals from Israeli prisons.
The ceasefire ends more than a year of conflict between Palestine and Israel following the attacks and hostage taking by Hamas and Palestinian militant groups into southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, speaking to ABC RN Breakfast on 20 January, confirmed the Middle East ceasefire and hostage release agreement could be the first steps to lasting peace.
“Firstly, I think we should just acknowledge that what’s occurred overnight is very positive and very constructive in the context of the tragedy that we have watched unfold over the last 15 months," he said.
“It is a wonderful thing to see hostages reunited with their families. It is also obviously wonderful to be seeing the beginning of humanitarian assistance start to flow into Gaza.
“There’s clearly a long way to go in terms of the rebuilding of Gaza. Obviously, if we’re thinking about a lasting peace, there’s a very long way to go.
“This is a fragile and delicate process and it’s one which is going to require constant effort and vigilance.
“We will, as Australia, continue to lend our voice to the promotion of peace, to seeing this arrangement fulfilled and to seeing the return of all the hostages and to seeing the rebuilding of Gaza.”
The Deputy PM also confirmed Australia would look to provide humanitarian assistance where possible.
“We’ve already contributed humanitarian assistance. Obviously we’ll work through all of the opportunities that present themselves in terms of the way in which Australia can help as we move forward.
“Right now the focus is on ensuring that all the effort is maintained to see this fragile and delicate process continue.
“I don’t think we can take anything for granted as we move forward. We’ve seen temporary ceasefires in the past, but I do think that there is an opportunity in what has been announced for this to be the beginning of a new chapter.
“I think the world has to hope and lend its voice and international pressure towards that outcome. And we will certainly be a part of that.”
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD)confirmed earlier this week that preparations had been made to receive returning hostages (medical and mental health care) and support their families.
The IMOD’s Rehabilitation Department and Department of Families and Commemoration have reportedly been placed on full alert alongside the IDF.
The Hamas government’s Ministry of Interior and National Security has reportedly already begun redeploying its own military and security forces across the Gaza Strip.
“Our forces have been deployed to support citizens, secure property and deal with the remnants of the occupation,” said a ministry statement.
In addition, the ministry will reportedly “intensify their efforts in the coming days in all governorates to restore order and activate citizen services”.
