Der beste Weg, Israels Krieg im Gazastreifen zu beenden: Die Wiederbelebung der Arabischen Friedensinitiative würde den Konflikt lösen – und eine neue palästinensische Realität schaffen

[SS from essay by Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister from 2019 to 2024]

After eight months of Israel’s brutal war in Gaza, the United States, its European allies, and other leading world powers have had enough. Along with facing a horrendous level of civilian deaths—as of mid-June the UN has found that more than 37,000 have been killed and 78,000 injured in the war—the people of Gaza have been denied food and basic health care, and they are continually uprooted, as more and more of the strip’s housing is obliterated. Gaza’s universities have been destroyed and its education system shattered. Communicable diseases are rapidly spreading, and infant mortality has skyrocketed. Nowhere is safe.

In an effort to end the violence, U.S. President Joe Biden has announced a cease-fire and hostage-release plan that he said has been drawn up by members of Israel’s war cabinet and should be acceptable to both sides. On June 10, the UN Security Council endorsed the plan in a 14–0 vote with Russia abstaining. Yet despite this rare international consensus, the war continues. Hamas has said it welcomes the plan in principle, and it has requested some clarifications before fully endorsing. More surprising to many observers is the resistance of Israel’s own government to the plan, notwithstanding the fact that the Biden administration maintains its terms are Israeli.