The Only Opportunity To End the War in Gaza

Al Bilad, Bahrain, June 6

A coalition of influential Arab nations has acted responsibly in response to US President Joe Biden’s proposal to halt the conflict in the Gaza Strip, implementing a multi-phase plan that aims to establish a permanent ceasefire and initiate the reconstruction process of the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar emphasized the importance of engaging seriously and positively with Biden’s proposal to secure a lasting ceasefire and ensure the adequate delivery of aid throughout the Gaza Strip, thereby alleviating the suffering of its residents. Since October 7, the foreign ministers of these five countries have been engaged in diligent diplomatic efforts to end the human suffering in Gaza. Their goal is to propose a realistic solution that leads to a permanent resolution and a credible path for the peace process, ultimately resulting in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They argue that temporary solutions not rooted in legal frameworks will only have limited international impact and will delay, rather than prevent, a major confrontation in the future. It is in this context that one can understand the insistence of these nations to foster international political-diplomatic support from influential global capitals for the two-state solution. In line with these efforts, there was a phone call between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. During the call, Prince Faisal reiterated “the Kingdom’s support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians.” Meanwhile, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed published a statement emphasizing the importance of releasing prisoners and hostages and alleviating the dire circumstances faced by civilians in Gaza. He stressed that “a comprehensive solution can only be achieved through peace and negotiations in accordance with the two-state solution.” These initiatives spearheaded by the Arab quintet deserve global support, and it is imperative that both Israel and Hamas respond constructively. War does not foster prosperity or security; only a reliable peace process can end the human suffering in Gaza, allowing both Palestinians and Israelis to live safely. The vision is for two neighboring states that compete in areas like culture, economics, science, technology, and sports—not through war and destruction. —Hasan Almustafa (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)