Long, hard road to peace

Cautious optimism on both sides as flare-ups feared after hostage deal

- BY CHRIS HUGHES DEFENCE AND SECURITY EDITOR IN TEL AVIV PICTURES: ANDY STENNING

THIS is a moment of intense relief and joy on both sides of a bloody war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and many Israelis.

But it is premature and tinged with lasting bitterness, nervousness and sorrow for those who have lost loved ones.

And the road to peace will be long and immensely difficult.

Nervousness because a lot could go wrong and both Hamas and the Israeli military will have to show immense restraint to avoid slipping back into chaos and killing.

Even if there is an occasional outburst of gunfire, and it could happen, leaders will have to order their armed men to wait and respect the agreement.

The whole world is watching this and while Israel will have to strain to resist reacting to any Hamas provocation, militants in Gaza will feel they do not owe Trump anything.

That could lead to immense tension on the border as troops are instructed either to react or resist, depending on whether the hostages have been released.

For Israel it is hoped 48 hostages will be released, perhaps as soon as Sunday, although only 20 of them are thought to be alive and their condition is as yet unknown.