For Indonesia, the participation of President Prabowo Subianto in the declaration in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh is significant, if not historic, as it marks our formal entry into the Middle East peace process.

The country with the world’s largest Muslim population has been a staunch supporter of the creation of an independent Palestinian state through persistent global campaigns mainly at the United Nations. Now we have a seat at the table, instead of just cheering the cause from the sidelines. We should use this new diplomatic leverage to reach the noble goal.

The peace declaration, signed by leaders from the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, and witnessed by leaders from 16 other countries, has put an end to Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, achieved through bombing but also through a deliberate starvation policy.

The killing has stopped, and food supplies are now reaching the hungry Gazan population. Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance group, have started to release prisoners or hostages as part of the deal. It was a relief if not a joyful moment for many Israelis and Palestinians who have had to live through these hellish events for over two years.

We should be under no illusion that the peace process will be smooth beyond this point. The international community must ensure that both sides respect the ceasefire agreement, which is a challenge given Israel’s history of repeatedly violating past truces. There is also the massive reconstruction of Gaza, with the UN estimating that 92 percent of all residential buildings there have been damaged or destroyed by Israel.

And there is the question of the fate of the state of Palestine, not mentioned in the peace deal. The global community must put more pressure, not less, on both sides to agree on the two-state solution where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully side by side. An independent and free Palestine is the best and only guarantee for the security of Israel.