By: Nazish Altaf
Crimes against humanity for a successful and just peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the key elements should be addressed to create a lasting resolution. The immediate humanitarian concerns in the Gaza Strip emphasize the need for urgent attention to the well-being of the civilian population.
Humanitarian Needs: The urgency of addressing the basic needs of the civilian population in Gaza, including access to essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel. These necessities are crucial for daily life and survival, and any disruption can have severe consequences.
Impact of Conflict: It mentions that these supplies have been curtailed since Hamas attacks on October 7, and Israel tightening its siege of Gaza. This likely refers to the impact of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which can lead to restrictions on the movement of goods and people, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
Medical Assistance: Providing timely medical assistance to the injured in Gaza. Israel destroying Gaza’s healthcare system and the infrastructure crucial for medical services has been severely damaged. This can include hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Violations of Laws of War: Israeli destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system in its pursuit of military objectives, a disrespect for international humanitarian law, which includes protections for civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts. Deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, are generally considered violations of these laws.
Truce vs. Ceasefire: A truce is a temporary suspension of hostilities, often negotiated to allow for humanitarian relief or diplomatic efforts; while a truce has been achieved, there are concerns that Israel may not commit to a long-term ceasefire, which is a more permanent cessation of hostilities. The call for international pressure is aimed at influencing Israel to consider a lasting resolution.
Israeli Prime Minister’s Statement: The Israeli Prime Minister has stated that the war will continue even if the truce is extended. See how complex the situation is, with Israel potentially reserving the right to resume military operations in the future. The international community is urged to respond to this by putting pressure to encourage a more stable peace process.
International Community’s Role: It is disappointing that the international community’s perceived failure to protect the Gaza community from what is characterized as a genocide. The term “genocide” implies the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, ethnic, religious, or national group. So it is suggested for strong condemnation of the actions taken and a call for intervention to prevent further harm to the Palestinian people.
Role of Leading Powers: The United States and European states resisting calls for a ceasefire. This underscores the geopolitical complexities and differing positions of major powers in the conflict. The call for these leading powers to change their stance and support a ceasefire is an appeal for influential nations to use their diplomatic leverage in the region.
Truce as an Opportunity: Despite the challenges, the truce offers a sustainable settlement and a chance for a long-term pause in hostilities. This implies that the temporary suspension of violence can be a starting point for more extensive negotiations and diplomatic efforts to reach a sustainable and lasting resolution to the conflict.
Human Cost: Palestinian people having lost over 14,000 lives shows the gravity of the situation and the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population. This serves as a call to action, highlighting the urgency of finding a solution that prevents further loss of lives.
International Relation and its Effect on the Conflict: It’s too early to suggest a path for future peace due to changing world dimensions reflects the complexity and fluidity of international relations.
Brutality: The severity of the violence and the need for a departure from historical patterns to achieve a more stable and enduring peace.
Innovation: This implies a recognition that a new, innovative strategy may be necessary.
Just Solution: There is the importance of fairness and equity in any resolution, addressing the underlying causes of the conflict to create a sustainable foundation for peace.
Israeli Actions and Palestinian Resistance: As long as Israeli actions involve the killing of Arabs and the acquisition of their lands, there will be Palestinian resistance. This reflects a perspective that ongoing Israeli policies, particularly those involving violence and territorial disputes, contribute to the cycle of conflict and resistance.
Collective Responsibility: The call for collective action emphasizes that achieving peace requires a shared commitment from the international community. It’s not just about words; there’s a need for concrete and concerted efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and work toward a sustainable and just resolution.
Just Peace: The term “just peace” implies the need for a solution that considers the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. This involves addressing historical grievances and ensuring that the terms of the peace agreement are perceived as fair by both parties.
Securing Palestinian Rights: Central to the concept of a just peace is the idea that it must secure the rights of the Palestinian people. This includes addressing issues such as the right to self-determination, the right of return for refugees, and the recognition of the Palestinian state. A just peace seeks to establish a framework that respects the fundamental rights of all individuals involved.
Path to Sustainable Statehood: This involves creating the necessary conditions for the establishment and functioning of a viable Palestinian state, with defined borders, political institutions, and the ability to govern independently.
Accountability Mechanism: A just peace requires addressing and rectifying human rights violations, war crimes, or any actions that have resulted in the loss of innocent lives. Accountability mechanisms may include legal processes, international investigations, or truth and reconciliation efforts.
Children’s Rights: Vulnerability of children in conflict zones. A just peace would need to address the protection of children’s rights, ensuring that they are shielded from the devastating impacts of violence and that those responsible for harm to children are held accountable.
Holistic Approach: A successful resolution requires a holistic understanding of the multifaceted nature of the conflict.
Conclusion: This indicates a delicate and complex geopolitical reality. The truce involves a prisoner exchange, with both sides having their reasons for agreeing to it. The reference to continued attacks by Israel, even in supposed safe zones, indicates the fragile nature of the situation. Therefore, there is a call for immediate and focused international attention on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There is a need to build international pressure on Israel to extend the truce and stop violence against the Palestinian people in Gaza. It is also stated by the Israeli Prime Minister that there can be a possibility of continuing the war even through the extension of the truce. So there is a need for international intervention to influence Israel’s approach to the truce, advocate for a lasting ceasefire, and address concerns about the well-being of the Palestinian population in Gaza. It also reflects broader geopolitical considerations and challenges in the ongoing conflict.