Truce or ceasefire? Why the difference matters when bullets stop but peace remains distant

Pakistan moved swiftly to seek a truce after India launched a fierce and calculated show of military force, hitting 11 of its air bases in less than three hours. The coordinated strikes targeted key installations — Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad — sending a clear message that New Delhi was not bluffing. With tensions boiling, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both nations are now set for their first formal hotline conversation since the truce agreement was reached earlier this week.

Truce, ceasefire, cessation of hostilities, armistice — while often used interchangeably, these terms carry distinct legal and diplomatic meanings. For mediators, soldiers, and international observers, understanding these nuances is critical.

Truce
A truce is a temporary suspension of hostilities and is typically nonbinding. It is usually arranged directly by the warring parties and can apply to a specific area within a broader conflict. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) equates a truce with a “suspension of hostilities,” noting its role in enabling activities such as removing the wounded, burying the dead, or initiating negotiations. Unlike humanitarian pauses, truces can be called for any reason and do not indicate the end of conflict.

Ceasefire
Unlike a truce, a ceasefire is intended to be binding. It typically involves a negotiated halt to fighting, often including provisions such as the withdrawal of heavy weapons or the creation of buffer zones. Ceasefires apply to entire conflict zones and are meant to be more durable — though not immune to violations — and do not signify the end of a war but rather an effort to stabilize the situation.

Cessation of hostilities
This term is more formal than a truce but still nonbinding. It usually marks a unilateral or mutual declaration to suspend fighting and is often a precursor to peace talks. These declarations may only apply to some factions in multi-party conflicts, making their implementation complex.

Humanitarian pause
A humanitarian pause is defined by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as a temporary and strictly humanitarian cessation of hostilities. These pauses are typically brief and limited to specific regions, allowing critical aid operations like medical evacuations or food deliveries.

Armistice
An armistice is a formal agreement to end all military operations permanently. It does not equate to peace but signifies a mutual decision to end fighting. A peace treaty must follow to officially resolve the conflict.

Days of tranquility
Called by agencies like UNICEF or WHO, these are agreed-upon days during conflict where hostilities pause to allow humanitarian access, particularly for child healthcare. They are short, symbolic, and highly specific in scope.

In essence, while all these terms imply a break from fighting, their legal weight, duration, and scope vary widely — a fact with real consequences for the ground realities of war and diplomacy.