In recent days, intense fighting has broken out between Hamas and Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian officials say that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 people, including several children, since the violence escalated on Saturday.
The violence started when Hamas militants fired rockets at Israeli towns, prompting Israeli airstrikes in return. Palestinian officials have accused the Israeli military of deliberately targeting civilians, but Israel has denied the claims.
The current fighting is the worst since the 2014 war in Gaza and is seen by many as a response to recent Israeli efforts to expand its settlements in the West Bank. The expansion has been condemned by the international community and Palestinians have been protesting against it for weeks.
This latest violence has further inflamed tensions between the two sides and has sparked international outcry and calls for restraint. The UN secretary-general has called for an immediate end to the hostilities and said that both sides should respect international humanitarian law.
The United States has denounced the violence and has urged both sides to de-escalate the situation. President Biden has stated that he is “deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and the tragic loss of life” and “calls for a full ceasefire”.
The fighting in Gaza has put a spotlight on the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the lack of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Both sides have accused each other of not doing enough to bring an end to the violence and to find a lasting peace.
It is clear that the current situation is untenable and a ceasefire must be negotiated and put in place. It is also essential that the violence ends and both sides agree to a peaceful resolution that guarantees the rights and security of all Palestinians and Israelis.
The international community must continue to press both sides to end the violence and initiate meaningful dialogue to resolve the conflict. Only then can a just and lasting peace be achieved.