News Analysis: Israeli troops leave Gaza, what´s next?

Source: Xinhua | 01-22-2009 07:49

by Saud Abu Ramadan

GAZA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The last Israeli soldier had left Gaza Strip on Wednesday, just four days after Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire with Gaza militants led by Hamas, ending an unprecedented 22-day military offensive on the enclave, but what Gazans concern most is what would happen next?

An Israeli soldier works on a tank near Kibbutz Mefalsim, just outside the northern Gaza Strip January 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Right after the Israeli assault was over, 1.5 million Palestinians were shocked to see the mass of destruction and to hear the horrible number of casualties the Israeli military operation had left.

The 22-day Israeli military offensive on Gaza Strip had left around 1,400 people killed, 5,500 wounded, 4,000 houses destroyed and a complete destruction of life and infrastructure.

As they were checking their destroyed homes and burying their beloved with tears, the question that can be read from their eyes is what will happen next, another war or a positive breakthrough to end their suffering and never see violence again.

"I hope that after all this war and after the long suffering of the siege that lasted for almost two years, the parties will be able to reach an agreement that reopen the crossings and unifies Gaza Strip and West Bank under one united government or authority," said Khalid Shahwan, a Palestinian academic.

But Palestinian analysts were divided in answering the question, some of them said that this war had brought both Israel and the Palestinians back to square one and the crisis will start again. Others voiced more optimistic due to the changes in the United States and in Israel.