Policy Brief 26/10/2023
Despite calls for peace and de-escalation, the conflict between Israel and Hamas appears to have entered an advanced phase with no prospects of a ceasefire in sight. At a time when the US and other Western powers should call for restraint and de-escalation, they are providing active military support to Israel, encouraging the latter to escalate. The US should support the mediation efforts by Egypt, Turkey,
Qatar, and Saudi Arabia and bring an immediate end to the hostilities. Since the Western countries, including the United States, take a lopsided position in favour of Israel, the role of China and Russia in the mediation process is crucial, both of which see the widely accepted “Two-State Solution” as a long-term way out of the conflict.