Mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deadlocked: Where is the path to peace?

According to the "Times of Israel" reported recently, the new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the mediation work once again stalled, Israel and Hamas ceasefire talks in recent days failed to achieve a breakthrough. This news has not only aroused widespread concern in the international community, but also once again highlighted the complexity and long-term nature of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is highly unlikely that any agreement will be reached before the end of the Biden administration, which undoubtedly adds more uncertainty and complexity to the long-running conflict.

According to mediators cited in the report, Hamas and Israel were originally considering a 60-day ceasefire and planned to push for a deal through an exchange of detainees. Specifically, Hamas wants to exchange 30 detainees for a group of Palestinians held by Israel and allow more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. However, this seemingly viable plan has recently hit another snag, and the deepening differences between the two sides have made it increasingly difficult to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Israel is particularly demanding. Not only did they insist that the bodies of dead people should not be included in the exchange, they also refused to release some Palestinian prisoners that Hamas had demanded. This position is undoubtedly a huge challenge to Hamas, but also further intensified the conflict between the two sides. Hamas repeated its demand that Israel commit to a permanent ceasefire, which Israel has also rejected. Both sides in this you come to me to the game, seems to be stuck in a stalemate.

It is worth noting that negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an exchange agreement for detainees, mediated by the Qatari and Egyptian sides, have been going on for some time in the Qatari capital Doha. However, on December 25, 2024, both Hamas and Israel issued statements saying that the ceasefire agreement had been postponed. Both sides claimed the delay was due to obstruction of the negotiations by the other side. The recriminations certainly cast more doubt on whether the two sides can actually reach a cease-fire agreement.

The mediator also revealed a remarkable information: it is expected that after the inauguration of US President-elect Trump on January 20 local time, the two sides will return to negotiations. While this news offers a glimmer of hope, given Trump's position and attitude on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, and the deep differences that currently exist between the two sides, that hope does not seem all that reliable. The Trump administration has been taking a more hard-line and pro-Israel stance on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, which is likely to make Hamas more dissatisfied and disappointed, further aggravating the conflict between the two sides.

An in-depth analysis of the reasons behind the conflict reveals that the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lie in deep differences over land, resources, and national identity. Israel insists that it is an important player in the Middle East, with legitimate territory and sovereignty. Hamas, for its part, views Israel as a hostile occupier and is committed to overthrowing the Israeli regime by violent means. Such fundamental differences make it difficult for the two sides to find common ground and compromise in the negotiations, which leads to the continuous escalation and expansion of the conflict.

In addition, the position and attitude of the international community on the Palestinian-Israeli issue also aggravate the complexity of this conflict. The United States and other Western countries have always taken a position in favor of Israel on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, providing Israel with a large amount of military and economic aid, which makes Israel occupy a clear advantage in the conflict. While some Arab countries and international organizations have called on the two sides to resolve the dispute through peaceful negotiations, they often lack sufficient strength and determination to effectively push the two sides to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Innocent civilians have been the biggest victims of this conflict. The residents of the Gaza Strip live in extreme poverty and instability, lacking basic livelihood and security. Their homes were destroyed, their loved ones killed, and their lives plunged into endless misery. However, the international community's attention and assistance to this conflict has been far from sufficient. Although some countries and international organizations have provided some humanitarian assistance, such assistance can only solve the immediate needs and cannot fundamentally change the living conditions of the residents of the Gaza Strip.

In the face of this escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict, we need to reflect deeply and be alert. First, the international community should pay more attention to and invest in the Palestinian-Israeli issue and encourage the two sides to settle their disputes through peaceful negotiations. This requires governments and international organizations to strengthen coordination and cooperation and jointly provide strong support and guarantee for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. Second, both sides should abandon violence and seek common ground and compromise through dialogue and consultation. This requires the leaders of both sides to show sufficient political wisdom and courage to shoulder their historical responsibilities and inject new impetus into the peace process. Finally, we need to strengthen assistance and support to conflict areas such as the Gaza Strip, improve the living conditions of the local population, and provide them with basic livelihood and security guarantees.

However, from the current situation, these measures appear to be difficult to achieve. The differences between the two sides are still profound and difficult to reconcile, and the position and attitude of the international community lacks sufficient unity and firmness. Therefore, we have reason to believe that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will continue, bringing greater disasters and losses to both sides and the entire Middle East region.

At this critical moment, it is all the more necessary for us to remain calm and rational and strengthen our research and reflection on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. Only through in-depth analysis and criticism can we better understand the root cause and nature of this conflict and provide more effective ideas and programs for the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli issue. At the same time, we also need to strengthen our appeal and advocacy to the international community and urge governments and international organizations to take a more active and responsible attitude and actions on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. Only in this way can we inject new hope and momentum into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and bring this protracted conflict to an early end.