Ceasefire, truce or cessation of hostilities ?

Cessation of hostilities, ceasefire or truce: these terms, all used in attempts to resolve the conflict in Syria, are similar and often used indiscriminately. However, they have different legal and symbolic meanings. A truce is a limited and temporary halt of activities or hostilities during a war. A cessation of hostilities is a more formal designation, which, however, falls short of a formal ceasefire signed by the warring parties. A cessation of hostilities is a first essential step to resolving a conflict, notably to permit the delivery of humanitarian aid. A simple cessation of hostilities could also permit a military response to the side that breaks it.