Hello.
After nearly two months of war, Israel and Hamas are set to begin their temporary ceasefire on Friday morning, with the first tranche of 13 Israeli women and child hostages to be released in the afternoon.
A deal for a four-day truce was announced on Wednesday with Hamas agreeing to free at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel agreeing to release 150 Palestinians prisoners and allow hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid to enter Gaza.
The truce is welcome, but will unlikely lead to less violence once it ends. Both sides have made no secret of the fact that once the ceasefire is over, they will again go at each other with hammer and tongs, says Carl Skadian, senior associate director at the Middle East Institute, NUS.
The war has been closely watched by the world, including Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has been uncompromising in his condemnation against Israel’s response to the Oct 7 Hamas incursion.
Mr Anwar, who marks his first year as prime minister on Friday, has consolidated power after a bumpy start. But there is growing disillusionment with his administration’s failure to deliver on the economy and much-needed reforms, says CNA’s Leslie Lopez.
We hope you enjoy our selection of commentaries this week.
Alison Jenner
Supervising Editor, Commentary
