Recently, the United Nations Security Council overwhelmingly approved its first U.S.-sponsored resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The question of whether Israel and Hamas agree to go forward with the plan remains the main concern. A few months back, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) called on countries to stop selling or shipping weapons to Israel in a resolution passed on 5th April that aims to prevent Rights violations against Palestinians amid Israel's blistering military campaign in Gaza.
In a major development, India has voted in favour of the UNHRC's resolution, supporting the right to self-determination for Palestinian people, Human rights violations against Palestinians, and Israel's occupation of Syrian Golan. However, India abstained from voting on the resolution on the 'Human Rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East
Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice.' All four resolutions were introduced at the HRC in Geneva by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). A total of 13 countries abstained from voting, whereas 28 countries supported it and six voted against the resolution. Meanwhile, countries that voted in favour of the resolution included Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, Qatar, and South Africa, among others. However, the US, along with five other countries voted against the resolution. While death toll in Gaza crossed more than 37,000 Palestinians.
On 8th July, 2014, Israel launched one of its deadliest military offensives against the Gaza strip. The conflict left 2,251 people dead, with more than 11,000 wounded, according to Palestinian and UN sources. Ten years on, Gaza is still subject intense attacks by Israel as well as the ongoing blockade. Israel's military offensive on the Gaza Strip took place aganist the backdrop of a second Palestinian unity being formed in then the early June by the Islamic Resistance Movement- Hamas- in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank.
Threatened by the reconciliation between the two main Palestinian factions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that PA had to choose between peace with Hamas and peace with Israel. Ten days later, on 12 June, three Israeli setters went missing in the West Bank, an incident which Israel blamed Hamas, despite providing no evidence to back the allegation. Netanyahu also stated that the kidnapping proved that the unity pact between the Palestinian factions could not be endorsed.
High-ranking Hamas officials denied involvement in the kidnapping, which Israeli historian Ilan Pappé linked to the murder of two Palestinian teenagers by Israeli forces in May 2014. Israel's subsequent crackdown on Hamas associates in the West Bank led to deaths, injuries, and hundreds of arrests. On 2 July, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir was killed by Israeli extremists, sparking violent protests. After failed ceasefire attempts, Israel launched 'Operation Protective Edge' on 7 July, dropping 400 tonnes of bombs on Gaza within 48 hours. Over two months, 6,000 airstrikes displaced 500,000 people, forcing 300,000 to seek shelter in UNRWA schools. The blockade imposed by Israel since Hamas's 2006 election has limited essential supplies, and the UN Food Agency recently warned that famine is imminent in Northern Gaza, with 70% of the population facing severe hunger.
In a separate development, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, accused Israel of continuing to hinder efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, saying the territory faces an " entirely man made" famine as " starvation is used as a weapon of war." On 7 Oct, 2023, the shock that Israel faced was unfathomable. It was the least expected; so much so, that the Mossad and Shin Bet the famed intelligence organizations still do not have an answer as to how could it ever happen. They were formidable shields for the defence of Israel. Now let us take our attention to the way forward of this long disputed matter, the fact is that Gaza and West Bank were functioning as two separate states with the Palestinian Authority having no knowledge of the happenings in Gaza. How and when can the people of Gaza would ever come out of atrocities and deprivation faced by its people? What are the possible solutions?
One State Solution - in this proposal, the entire Gaza, and all lands West of the Jordan River up to the Mediterranean Sea are made into one state where both Jews and Palestinians live in harmony. Though it is the easiest solution conceptually the contradiction in both religions and attitudes render it impractical. This solution has not been touted politically by any country. The concept of Jewish Homeland will not be addressed in this solution.
Two State Solution - It is the most popular solution among the international community. Howeve, it is paradoxical as there are three entities; Israel, Gaza and the West Bank with no land and sea connectivity between the last two. The negotiations on borders will be a non-starter as Israel will not go beyond ' Post 1967 War Borders.' Any earlier version of the border will be considered by Israel as dangerous to its very existence. It has hardened the Israeli stand that any withdrawal from its occupied areas will pose an external threat to them.
Hence, the two state solution looks good diplomatically but has gone beyond the realm of practicality. As of now, it is a 'Two State Solution' where Palestinian Authorities technically have Gaza and the West Bank under them. However, practically Hamas is in control of Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank. The ideologies of Hamas and Fatah are irreconcilable as the former does not recognize the existence of Israel and claims that the entire land belongs to Arabs. There is no free movement between the Gazans to the West Bank and vice versa as they need to cross Israeli territory.
Three State Solution - It is that Palestine Gaza, Israel and Palestine West Bank be as three separate states. After 25 years, an UN mandated plebiscite should be held asking the people of two Palestines their wish to be one action or remain separate. All settled populations of Jews and Arabs wherever they are staying will not be disturbed and will continue to stay in their respective areas irrespective of agreed boundaries.
A UN commission should be positioned in Gaza for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. An internationally contributed UN Fund must be provided for the purpose. As the Gaza strip and the West Bank are separated by Israeli territory a safe and monitored corridor should be guaranteed to the Palestinians to enable movements between the two parts. All refugees return to their reconstructed habitation. It is essential Gaza should have a stable economy and should be able to generate resources for administration and create avenues for employment. A separate election should be held in both Gaza and the West Bank where all political parties should recognize the existence of Israel. After the government formation, the UN Commission should transfer the administration to the new government in Gaza. Israel should vacate occupied areas of Palestine Gaza, and Palestine West Bank. Lastly, after 25 years an UN-mandated plebiscite should be held seeking the wishes of the people of both Gaza and the West Bank for a unified Palestine.
(All thoughts expressed are the author’s own.)
