Under the Egyptian sponsorship, the truce agreement between Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement and Israel on Thursday came to effect in Gaza Strip for the first day, raising hopes for a chance to realize peace in the Middle East despite of deep doubts on the duration of the so-called lull or calm.

Chance to realize Mideast peace

For the first time in years, the Palestinian and Israeli sides reach a truce agreement that includes a cessation of violence in the first week and holding negotiations on release of Palestinian prisoners in the second week to be followed by a gradual lifting of siege on Gaza Strip and negotiations over release of Israeli captive Gilad Shalit, Egypt's al-Ahram daily said in its editorial on Thursday.

The truce agreement takes the Mideast peace process to a new stage away from killings, violence, tension and mutual accusations traded by Palestinian and Israeli sides, proving that there is a chance to realize peace in the Middle East if Israel was convinced that in order to live in peace, the Palestinians have to live in peace too, the daily noted.

In its editorial, Al-Gomhuria termed reaching a truce agreement as a far-fetched hope given the wide gaps between Palestinian and Israeli stances, hailing Egypt's success to bridge the gap between a side seeking restoration of its usurped rights and another planning for more settlement expansions.

The daily called on Israel to understand that they cannot impose peace by force on Palestinians no matter how savage the Israeli military vehicle was.

Just peace is possible only if Israel was committed to a new policy based on a comprehensive lull in Gaza Strip and West Bank, an end of provocative settlement activities and the release of Palestinian prisoners, it added.