In the Middle East, it is clear that peace will never be reached without solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A two-state solution must be found and enforced. Ahmed Zewail. In early October 2023, conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas, marking a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The surprise attack by Hamas led to casualties on both sides, prompting Israel to declare war and impose a complete siege on Gaza. Subsequent events include daily rocket exchanges, a ground invasion, and the encirclement of Gaza City. The Gaza war has resulted in a substantial number of casualties and severe humanitarian challenges, with many Gazans facing displacement and limited resources. Regional concerns, particularly for Egypt and Jordan, add complexity to the situation, as they grapple with the dilemma of accepting displaced Palestinians. Current negotiations have seen only a fraction of Gazans able to exit, leaving the majority facing dire conditions and security risks.

Background

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has deep historical roots, evolving during the late 19th and early 20th centuries amid the decline of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate to govern Palestine. In 1947, the UN proposed a partition plan for separate Jewish and Arab states. While Jewish leaders accepted it, Arab leaders rejected it, sparking the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel declared independence, and neighboring Arab states intervened, resulting in territorial changes. The aftermath left Israel with more land than initially allocated by the UN, and issues like the status of Palestinian refugees became central. Subsequent conflicts, wars, and peace processes have influenced the region, with ongoing disputes over borders, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem. The Gaza Strip, under Hamas control since 2007, has been a focal point for conflict, marked by periodic escalations involving rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli military responses, contributing to the enduring complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

© The Spine Times