EDITORIAL: Now it’s time for Australia to make peace too

After 467 days in captivity, finally, Israeli civilians taken hostage by Hamas terrorists are almost free.

Thirty-three of them, at least; some of whom are believed to be already dead.

Still, the release of their bodies will bring some comfort and closure to their families, who have endured 15 months of hell since October 7, 2023, when Hamas shocked the world with its bloody and brutal attack, which began with the slaughter of more than 1200 Israelis, and has since cost the lives of an estimated 46,000 Palestinians.

For those living hostages, a return to Israel and safety is long, long overdue. Their staged release will take place across the 42-day truce, after which they will begin the task of rebuilding their lives which were shattered by their illegal abduction and captivity.

In return, Israel will withdraw its troops away from Gaza’s populated areas and return 1000 Palestinian prisoners, under the first phase of the deal.

A second phase, which US President Joe Biden says will bring a “permanent end to the war” is yet to be finalised, but under its preliminary terms, Israeli troops would withdraw fully, and all remaining hostages will be released.

For now, the world holds its breath as we wait to see if the 42-day truce holds, and is able to galvanise into lasting peace.

Already, bickering has begun over who can take credit for brokering the deal: President Biden or the man who will take his job in just a few days, Donald Trump.

Certainly, it appears Mr Trump’s threats that “all hell would break loose” if a deal wasn’t reached before his inauguration spurred negotiations along. But Mr Biden too must share the credit, for both his efforts to reach a deal across many months, and his willingness to put ego aside and involve Mr Trump in talks.

This latest 15-month chapter of this old conflict has changed the Middle East. Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas have been weakened. Israel’s devastating response and its overwhelming military superiority has helped it re-establish deterrence. It has taken a heavy human toll. And while Israel says it has killed 18,000 Hamas militants, more have been recruited to take their place.

The conflict has also sent relations between Australia and Israel spiralling to their lowest ebb in decades.

Israel has taken offence to the Albanese Government’s sanctimonious lecturing about the need for “restraint” in what they perceive to be a battle for the nation’s continued existence.Australia’s support late last year for a United Nations resolution calling on Israel to end its “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible” further deteriorated relations.

It’s against this backdrop that Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has landed in Israel this week. The ceasefire offers a golden opportunity to begin mending fences with our old ally.

But that will take more than a single visit and facile promises of enduring friendship.

Australia must begin acting like the friend to Israel we claim to be.