The long period of conflict between Israel and Palestine has been regarded as one of the most intractable disputes in the history of the contemporary world. The recent ceasefire, facilitated by Qatar’s diplomatic initiative, presents a pivotal opportunity to transition towards lasting peace. Achieving these objectives necessitates coordinated efforts in all domains, including both the involved parties and the international community, especially the U.N.
DISPUTES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
Tensions between Israel and Palestine have existed since the 19th century. Key aspects of the conflict include Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, security and threats of terrorism, water rights, and Palestinian freedom of movement.
In the past, Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital, in violation of international law, as Jerusalem has long been viewed a holy city by major religious groups Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Efforts to achieve peace among these groups have been rejected time and again, especially by Hamas, the military organization labeled a terrorist group by Israel, which is currently in control of the West Bank.
Illegal occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem by Israel, justified on security grounds, has also been a major source of tension between these groups.
THE 15-MONTH WAR
The recent war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel after several disputes, resulting in a retaliation. Israel conducted airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in massive devastation and death. The war has led to the death of 46899 Palestinians and left about 110,000 of them wounded. There have been casualties on both sides, the capture of hostages, and the murder of men, women, and children.

Efforts from international players.
International actors such as the United Nations, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been key mediators in this dispute and have made efforts to secure a peace treaty and encourage the release of hostages. There were joint efforts between the outgoing president of the United States, Biden, and the President-elect Trump to reach a peaceful agreement as well. Recently, the Israeli cabinet approved a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Hostages from both Israel and Palestine have been released, and the war is one step closer to being over
The Outline of the Peace Deal
Upon closer scrutiny, it appears that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is almost the same as the one that former U.S. President Joe Biden presented on May 27, 2024. The board brush strokes of both the current and the previous agreements involve three phases aimed at leading to a permanent ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the commencement of reconstruction in the area. In the first phase, which is scheduled to last for 42 days, the agreement stipulates a cessation of hostilities, a swap involving thirty-three Israeli hostages and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the allowance for displaced Palestinians to return north. Furthermore, the deal allowed 600 truckloads of aid to be entered into Gaza on a daily basis during this period. Additionally, the Rafah crossing with Egypt will be reopened under Palestinian and international management.
The subsequent phases will come into effect depending on how smoothly the first phase has gone. If everything goes without a hitch, the next phases will involve the release of further hostages, more prisoner releases, the return of the bodies of deceased hostages by Hamas, and the beginning of reconstruction efforts in Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the UN.

Infrastructure and Development.
A lot of Palestinian infrastructure has been destroyed, and lives uprooted. To reduce the impact of this devastation, which could breed bitterness, international actors such as the U.N., USAID, and the Arab League can support the replacement of infrastructure. They can improve living conditions through the provision of aid in the form of food, water, and medicine. They can also deploy essential professionals to the region to help rebuild and provide job opportunities to the state.
By helping to create a thriving environment, the resentment that may lead to another war will decrease, improving the likelihood of lasting peace.

Emphasis on Humanity
International groups can also mediate political discussions, talks and negotiations that emphasize humanity and remove focus from religious, cultural and political differences. Talks should be held upon the foundation that each group has the right to exist in peace. This is a step towards achieving lasting peace.
Two-State Solution
The United Nation in particular has been pushing for the Two-state solution. This involves the separation of Israel and Palestine into two sovereign states. While unpopular among some groups, this may be the only way to prevent a conflict that has been the result of seemingly unsolvable political, cultural, and religious differences. It will also solve the issue of the borders and land encroachment. The two states can then be offered U.N. membership and reach peaceful agreements on how to live as neighbors and share resources.
The war between Israel and Palestine is undeniably complex and has a deep and rich history of grievances and political rivalry. The recent ceasefire proves that measures can be taken to ensure lasting peace. International organizations must present a united front towards achieving this goal. With strong international support through dialogue and cooperation, peace is possible. While the journey will be difficult, it is possible, and all hands must be on deck.
