The Israel-Palestine conflict has once again ignited, sending shockwaves through the Middle East and the world. The cycle of violence we witness today is tragically familiar. But this time, Hamas took both Israel and the world by surprise by staging a massive sea, land and air incursion inside Israel. Hamas also fired around 5000 missiles into Israel which hit civilian and security installations. The world must confront this crisis with a sober understanding of the key players and the urgent need for solutions.
Israel currently grapples with its most right-wing government in history, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In order to maintain his grip on power, Netanyahu must appease extremist elements within his coalition. This has resulted in promises to expand illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, a blatant disregard for international law.
Meanwhile, the international community, including major world powers like the United States and China, is preoccupied with pressing global issues such as the Ukraine conflict, China-West tensions, and economic concerns. While there is rhetorical support for a two-state solution for the lingering Israel-Palestine crisis, there is a glaring lack of action to hold Israel accountable for undermining the prospects of a Palestinian nation-state. This inaction has left the region vulnerable to recurrent escalations.
The international community’s failure to address this crisis effectively is a glaring indictment of its negligence. Substantive peace talks have been absent for over a decade, and previous attempts, such as Donald Trump’s “deal of the century,” only exacerbated tensions. Now, the current efforts to engineer a ceasefire in a spiraling conflict amount to mere band-aids on a deep, festering wound.
This neglect has played into the hands of extremists on both sides who prioritize victory over peace. It imperils the future of both Israel and Palestine and threatens regional stability. The fresh war has pushed the prospect of a lasting settlement even further out of reach.
It remains to be seen how soon the growing international diplomatic effort will influence the two parties to end the latest round of hostilities. Most Arab countries, including the countries across the world, support an independent Palestinian state. But after the recent recognition deals with several OIC members called Abrahamic Accords, Israel can hope for a subdued condemnation for its response to Hamas attack.
Once again, the biggest loser in the ongoing conflict has been the image of the US. It has stayed short of asking Israel to stop the use of disproportionate force. The world’s lone superpower which only has the power and influence to broker a peace between Israel and Palestine has already dented its credibility to act as an honest mediator, perhaps irreparably so, by moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The Israel-Palestine conflict has rekindled with deadly consequences, underlining the international community’s failure to address this crisis effectively. The region’s volatile situation poses a grave threat to peace and stability. It is imperative that the world takes immediate action to pave the way for a lasting two-state solution. Ignoring this crisis is no longer an option.
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