{"id":55942,"date":"2025-10-14T13:33:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T13:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/after-two-years-of-war-is-peace-in-gaza-finally-here-israel-s-ambassador-to\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T13:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T13:19:12","slug":"after-two-years-of-war-is-peace-in-gaza-finally-here-israel-s-ambassador-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/after-two-years-of-war-is-peace-in-gaza-finally-here-israel-s-ambassador-to\/","title":{"rendered":"After two years of war, is peace in Gaza finally here? Israel\u2019s ambassador to Rwanda speaks out (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid failed ceasefires and polarised narratives, a new peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump has emerged, promising a lasting truce, hostage releases, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. But as headlines proclaim \u201cthe war is over,\u201d questions linger about its durability.<\/p>\n

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In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Israel\u2019s Ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, offered a candid perspective on the ceasefire, Israel\u2019s stance on accountability, the emotional toll of the conflict, and the fragile hope for peace. <\/p>\n

Speaking from Kigali, where she began her diplomatic mission just 50 days before the war erupted, Weiss reflected on the human and strategic dimensions of a conflict that has reshaped Israel and its global relationships.<\/p>\n

{{A personal and national trauma
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The war\u2019s onset was deeply personal for Weiss. \u201cWhen October 7 happened, it was deeply traumatic,\u201d she said, recalling the chaos as 1,500 Israelis were killed, hostages were taken, and missiles rained across the country. Her husband, Aviad, driven by what she describes as Israel\u2019s \u201cdeep patriotism,\u201d volunteered as a reservist, serving multiple tours in the Southern Command until recently. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents and family were in shelters,\u201d Weiss added. \u201cAs a human being, it was challenging to start a new diplomatic mission amidst such uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n

She highlighted the resilience shown by many Israelis, noting that around 500,000 people, over 5% of the population, gathered in Hostages Square to mark the recent peace agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf terror is abandoned and its sponsors held accountable, a positive future is possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

{{A historic ceasefire
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The Trump-brokered deal, finalised in October 2025, marks a turning point. Weiss described Monday, October 13, 2025, the day the hostages were released, as \u201cthe most optimistic day we\u2019ve experienced in the last two years,\u201d with all 20 known hostages released from Gaza, either after crossing the border or while in Red Cross custody.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are on their way back to their families,\u201d she said, though their physical and emotional conditions remain unclear.<\/p>\n

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Unlike previous ceasefires, which failed to hold, Weiss said the latest agreement is bolstered by its concise 20-point framework and \u201cstrong American safeguards.\u201d <\/p>\n

She credits the timing with Hamas “weakened” after two years of Israeli operations targeting its leadership, and President Trump\u2019s personal pressure on all parties. The plan aims to demilitarize Hamas, dismantle its 600 kilometers of tunnels, and create a safe zone for Israel\u2019s security. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time Hamas agreed to these terms,\u201d Weiss noted.<\/p>\n

{{Accountability in the wake of heightened criticism
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The war\u2019s toll of over 67,000 reported deaths in Gaza, half of them women and children, according to human rights organisations, has fueled accusations of genocide and the use of disproportionate force by Israel.<\/p>\n

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Weiss denied accusations of genocide and excessive force as \u201cfalse,\u201d framing the conflict as an \u201casymmetric war\u201d against a terror organization. She accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, operating from hospitals and homes, and blocking evacuations to provoke global condemnation. <\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael has done more than most armies to minimize harm,\u201d she stated, pointing to warnings via pamphlets and instances where soldiers\u2019 lives were risked to avoid civilian casualties. <\/p>\n

However, critics argue that Israel\u2019s extensive airstrikes and ground operations in densely populated Gaza, resulting in over 67,000 reported deaths, raise serious questions about proportionality and the effectiveness of these measures, especially given Israel\u2019s advanced intelligence capabilities.<\/p>\n

Weiss dismissed calls for independent investigations into Israel\u2019s actions, arguing that equating a state with a terror group like Hamas, which she says \u201copenly disregards international law,\u201d is misguided. She defended Israel\u2019s judicial system as \u201crobust\u201d and capable of meeting international standards for self-investigation. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe investigate thoroughly, even during the war,\u201d she said, acknowledging mistakes but stressing efforts to learn from them.<\/p>\n

However, critics contend that Israel\u2019s internal probes may lack impartiality, given the scale of destruction in Gaza and allegations of war crimes, raising doubts about whether self-investigation can adequately address international concerns over accountability.<\/p>\n

{{Rebuilding Gaza and Israel\u2019s role
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The peace plan prioritizes Gaza\u2019s reconstruction, redirecting funds to health, infrastructure, and economic growth. Weiss notes Israel provided aid throughout the war, though much was looted by Hamas. The agreement aims to ensure aid reaches civilians.<\/p>\n

Before October 7, 2023, Gaza saw economic growth through Israeli work permits, she says, yet critics argue Israel\u2019s blockade and restrictions stifled Gaza\u2019s potential long before the war.<\/p>\n

The plan\u2019s transitional technocratic government, backed by the U.S. and Arab states, seeks to replace Hamas\u2019 rule. An International Stability Force will work with the IDF to ensure demilitarization, but Weiss emphasizes Hamas must cease as a terror entity. <\/p>\n

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{{Palestinian statehood and global perceptions
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On the contentious issue of Palestinian statehood, Weiss reiterated Israel\u2019s conditions: the Palestinian Authority must stop encouraging terrorism, including compensating families of attackers and promoting anti-Israel material in schools. Only then, she said, can a U.S.-led dialogue proceed, as outlined in the agreement\u2019s final points. Critics argue that Israel\u2019s conditions delay negotiations, maintaining the status quo.<\/p>\n

Global opinion, especially among African youth, remains polarised, with many viewing Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza as disproportionate due to the high civilian toll and widespread destruction. Ambassador Weiss attributed these perceptions to misinformation on social media, often driven by anti-Israel agendas. She urged audiences to look beyond the conflict, emphasising that Israel offers significant contributions in areas like agriculture and technology. <\/p>\n

While some African nations criticised Israel, she added, others strengthened their support, visiting Israel and its border areas. <\/p>\n

\u201cCriticism often reflects specific agendas,\u201d Weiss said, \u201cbut Africa remains a key friend. Israel has increased its focus on Africa, with frequent high-level visits reflecting mutual interests and support, including at the UN.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ambassador also dismissed concerns that the conflict could escalate to involve Hezbollah or Iran, pointing instead to a de-escalating trend and urging critics to focus on Iran\u2019s role in militarizing the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe situation is de-escalating, not escalating. Hezbollah is weakened, and Iran\u2019s influence is being countered. The focus now is on stabilization and rebuilding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Even as Trump declared the war over on Monday, Weiss struck a cautious tone. \u201cThe war is officially over, with Israel withdrawing as agreed,\u201d she noted, \u201cbut Hamas must fulfill its obligations, including surrendering weapons and addressing the tunnels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch the full interview below: <\/p>\n