Since October 7, 2023, more than 41,000 people have died in the Gaza war. Despite international outcry, no one has been able to stop Israel’s actions. Israeli officials claim they are defending their land from Hamas after the group attacked Israeli civilians on October 7. Israel has vowed to continue the war until it gets rid of Hamas. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by Israel in the conflict on July 31, 2024, Yahya Sinwar was his successor after his assassination. But, on October 18, 2024, Israeli forces also assassinated Sinwar.
Israel claims, “The incessant indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, and the horrific massacre, widespread sadistic torture, sexual violence, and hostage-taking that were perpetrated on October 7 resulted in over 1,200 deaths, thousands more injured, and over 240 infants, children, women, and men taken hostage.” Therefore, the death of Yahya Sinwar does not signify the end of the Gaza war. “Today, evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet complete,” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a recorded address on Thursday.
Nevertheless, the conflict in Palestine did not start only on the 7th of October, 2023. It began in 1948 when Israel was formed on Palestinian territory by David Ben-Gurion under the backing of Western countries to act as a homeland for Jews who were being persecuted. After that major wars were waged. In 1967, an Israeli Air Force attacked several Arab states that included countries supporting the Palestinian cause. This war saw Israel acquire the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the part of Syria called Golan Heights. After the end of this war Israel controlled 77% of the land of Palestine. Similar to 1973, 1982, and 2005, each escalation left Israel in control of more territory and thousands of Palestinians dead.
Palestine and many Arab Nations have tried severally to restore or establish relations with Israel. The Egypt-Israeli war cycle that took more than three decades came to an end when the two nations signed a peace agreement in 1979. In 1993, Israel and the Palestinian authority entered into the Oslo Peace Process which limited Palestinian self-rule. On 26th October 1994, the two countries entered a peace agreement known as the Israel-Jordan peace treaty acting as the key. However, these efforts were not enough because the later escalation of attacks has proved otherwise – Israeli aggression has not ceased. The Israelis have been able to slowly and progressively capture a great deal of the Palestinian territory.
The leader from all around the world mentioned that the two-state solution is a strategy for ending the conflict. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council briefing on Gaza, “I urge the Council to unite in support of an immediate ceasefire leading to a viable two-state solution. That is the only way to end this cycle of tragedy. Similarly, the US vice president also said about a two-state solution, “I remain committed to a path forward that can lead to a two-state solution. And I know right now it is hard to conceive of that prospect, but a two-state solution is the only path that ensures Israel remains a secure, Jewish, and democratic state and one that ensures Palestinians can finally realize the freedom, security, and prosperity that they rightly deserve.”
Unfortunately, the two-state solution has not helped prescribe a cure to end Israel’s cruelty to Palestine. So many states may exist alongside one another but are not at peace with each other. Oslo I and II which supported the two-state paradigm are among the worst examples of how this approach did not solve the problem.
Now, a new approach to the situation should be introduced internationally—an approach that will unite both peoples. One state could be created that appreciates all existing religions and defends democratic liberties. This could eventually prove useful to the Muslim people, as they are more numerous than the Jews and Christian people.
Moreover, those Western states continue to provide Israel with military and political aid while pretending that their countries are peaceful and democratic, and cannot legally claim that they have a right to violence. In conclusion, if the world wants a solution to this conflict, the one-state solution may be the best since the two-state solution has proved inefficient in more than seven decades.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Global Dynamic or its editorial team.