A Clare Politics Professor believes the hopes of a lasting peace in Gaza will depend on whether Benjamin Netanyahu bows to pressure from his cabinet or Donald Trump.
Hamas and Israel have signed a three-stage agreement which will involve an initial six-week truce and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The deal will see dozens of the 98 Hostages taken by Hamas freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
But both Israel’s National Security and Finance Ministers whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu depends upon to maintain power, have threatened to resign if it goes through.
Professor of Politics at DCU and Newmarket-On-Fergus native Donnacha Ó’Beacháin says the peace could be short lived.
Since the resumption of hostilities on October 7th, over 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, while 2.3million have been displaced in a region one-tenth the size of Clare.
Kilmaley native and Chair of Sadaka – The Ireland Palestine Alliance, Eamon Meehan fears the next round of violence will be much worse.
The UN estimates it will take over 14 years to clear the rubble from the enclave and that reconstruction costs will exceed $20 billion.
A former Clare football star has launched an initiative to provide equipment such as hurleys, helmets and sliotars to the first GAA club in the West Bank; Ramallah GAA, which now has 40 players.
Gordon Kelly, who’s also the founder of Clare Gaels for Gaza is hoping to grow the number of clubs there and says the focus of the world can’t just move on because of the ceasefire.
You can listen to the full interview below.