Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Reaches Critical Juncture as Gaza Famine Looms
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at a critical juncture. The two-State solution is under threat due to relentless settlement expansion and de facto annexation. The Palestinian Authority faces an existential crisis, while Gaza grapples with famine. The recent Israeli military operation in Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with civilians trapped and deprived of basic necessities.
The United Nations Security Council, excluding the USA, has collectively called for an end to the conflict and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. This demand comes amidst a serious blow to ceasefire efforts on 9 September. The crisis in Gaza is described as 'one of the darkest chapters' by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The conflict is spreading beyond Gaza to the West Bank and the wider region, threatening diplomatic norms and mechanisms. Israeli settlements are widely recognised as a flagrant violation of international law, yet UN resolutions are being ignored, and international humanitarian law is violated with impunity. A just and lasting peace requires a collective commitment to diplomacy and international law, not more violence.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at a critical point, with the two-State solution eroding and the Palestinian Authority facing an existential crisis. The crisis in Gaza, now a humanitarian disaster, demands immediate action. The international community must recommit to diplomacy and international law to secure a just and lasting peace.
