After more than a month of bloodshed and destruction, a cease fire is underway between Hamas and Israel. This time the ceasefire doesn’t come with an expiration date but that doesn’t necessarily solve the problem.

“The cease fire addresses some tactical issues but the major strategic issues about Hamas accepting the two state solution and Israel's right to exist are not addressed,” said Professor Derek Harvey.

Harvey says the truce opens the door to border crossings between Gaza and Israel and Gaza and Egypt. It also means humanitarian relief and construction materials will be able to get from one side to the other.

But the cease fire does not address all of the issues at hand.

“The core reason the struggle is occurring is a set of irreconcilable differences between Palestinians and the Israelis, as to the existence to the state of Israel and how Palestinian grievances should be addressed going forward,” said Harvey. “The US role will be to make sure the international community does move forward in supporting the reconstruction and humanitarian relief efforts.”

Harvey thinks Hamas will temporarily gain some power in the region because of the cease fire but he doubts the end to the violence will last.

“The 50 days of violence, if you're a Gaza citizen, probably didn't need to happen if the outcome is just to go back to essentially the agreement that was made 21 months ago,” said Harvey.