War brings turmoil to all. That is why, when a war starts for whatever reason, sensible and responsible people rise up to stop it. The battle between Palestine and Israel is not unusual. Yet pacifists do not want this war to continue. Since October last year, peace-loving people around the world have been calling for an end to this war.

Both the warring parties, the state of Israel and the Palestinian political group Hamas, were approached to end the fighting. Many believe that Israel is so belligerent because of the overwhelming support of the United States behind it. Many believe that the war is strongly fuelled by one or the other side of the United States. That is why, along with the warring parties, the United States is also under pressure to stop this war. The pressure is coming from the US citizens themselves.

This year, we have witnessed that not only Muslims but also the young Jewish community living in the United States are pressuring the U.S. government to take an active role in ending the war. They are criticising the U.S. government for failing to stop the war, particularly for failing to restrain Israel. There are sit-in strikes on university campuses. The campuses are in turmoil with agitation and movement. Many congressmen have made statements to deter Israel. Voters flocked to the Democratic caucus to voice their protest.

Secretary Blinken has done a lot of running around. But nothing worked straight. Hamas still holds Israeli prisoners. And Israel continues its killing mission in Gaza. The United States has taken several initiatives to stop the war. So are the Arab countries. Many governments, including South Africa, wanted to bring Israel to justice for the genocide it apparently committed in Gaza. Iran and Israel have fired missiles at each other. Yemeni Houthis blocked ships in the Red Sea. The Lebanese Hezbollah launched attacks inside Israel. Iran has repeatedly warned Israel. As a result, a new security equation is beginning to emerge in the Middle East.

Immediately before Eid-ul-Azha, Netanyahu slams the U.S. for stopping arms supplies to Israel. Actually, it is not the case; the U.S. only halted one shipment that contained 900 kg of bombs. That was almost like a weapon of mass destruction! This was a clever move from the White House. Huge pressures were mounting through agitation on university campuses, at presidential election caucuses and even in Congress. The move to halt the shipment of bombs had improved the face of the White House. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State is continuing its greater agenda in the Middle East, aiming to shape a favourable Middle East after the establishment of two states.

The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for August. Joe Biden will be under heavy scrutiny there. Therefore, there is urgency for the presidency to bring something conclusive to its Middle East deliberations. Apart from domestic elections, there is greater concern in the department of state. It is becoming more and more concerned about the growing influence of China in the Middle East. Historically, China has been an alien in the Middle East. So has been culturally. However, its recent initiatives to mend the relationships between Iran and Saudi Arabia were hugely successful, and that built a positive reputation of China in the Middle East as a brilliant peace broker. Who knows whether, at one point of time, the countries in the Middle East will be tempted to bring in China as a mediator between Israel and the Arab States?

Joe Biden issued a statement on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. It was a long statement and very carefully drafted. After all, the image of the president has suffered in the last year due to apparent inaction or too little concern about the Israeli genocide against and killing of Muslims in Gaza. In the statement, Biden acknowledged the sufferings and killings of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza. He also stated that his government is working to stop the spreading of Islamophobia. When the U.S. president states something on these types of occasions, we need to take it seriously. I think it will be the right and appropriate move for the White House if it decides to fight Islamophobia. Biden insisted that Hamas should accept the three-phase ceasefire proposal that is now on the table.

The three-phase ceasefire proposal is also endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council called on both the Israeli government and Hamas to accept the resolution. The U.S. said that the Israeli government had agreed to the ceasefire. Two weeks have passed. Every day and every hour counts now. Although Israel has not publicly accepted the U.S. plan, it is expected that Israel will more or less comply with it.

Hamas knows that captive hostages are its strength. Therefore, before releasing the hostages, it wants assurances that their demands will be met. The safest position for Hamas is to ensure an environment where their leaders will be safe. They may opt to move from Gaza to Egypt for the time being lest they be caught by Israel. That is why Hamas insisted on the involvement of Russia, China and Turkey in the ceasefire arrangement.

That being said, I think this is the most advantageous position at the moment for a ceasefire and a subsequent two-state solution. That is why anyone interested in stopping the war or seeing a lasting peace in the Middle East should not miss this opportunity. Otherwise, innocent Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip will continue to suffer and face an uncertain future. In fact, Hamas should ensure that the people in Gaza remain happy, calm and peaceful. After all, they are Hamas’ vote bank and Hamas’ strength. If the people are not there, what will it do with the state? If the people are not safe, why is the war ?
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The writer is a former Bangladeshi Ambassador