Two Years of War

Today marks the second anniversary of the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas. On that fateful day, Hamas invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing 1200 and kidnapping 240 hostages.   On October 8, 2023, Israel declared war on Hamas. The last time Israel declared war on another entity was the Yom Kippur War in 1973 against the Arabs. 

Depending on the source, it is estimated that over 60,000 non-Jewish people have lost their lives during the war.  The number of Israeli soldiers killed is substantially lower, ranging from 1200 to 1400, along with the initial casualties. These are not just numbers, but lives lost, families shattered, and communities devastated. The exact number of fatalities may never be known, but the toll on human life should end, and peace come to the region.

Over 72 hours ago, the Trump Administration, motivated to end the bloodshed, proposed a 20-point plan for a lasting peace. Originally, Hamas officials agreed to the proposal to return alive and dead hostages to Israel to end the war. Unfortunately, the 72 hours have passed, and no hostages have been returned.  The Trump Administration dispatched Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Egypt, hoping both sides would agree to the proposal and end the war.  

What’s Really At Stake

Neither Israel nor Hamas will be willing to give what the other side wants. Out of the two, Hamas has suffered more casualties and the destruction of property far above what Israel has experienced. Their fighting force is no match for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and the infrastructure of Gaza City is now pretty much rubble. The only negotiating chip Hamas has left is the hostages, so it is not surprising they haven’t released them at the time of this writing.

The 20-point plan anticipates Hamas’ dilemma and works to ensure Gaza will be rebuilt and a new government installed, with the caveat of another government without Hamas influence. Perhaps Hamas leaders and their followers are not quite ready to relinquish control of the government. If they disagree, then it is very probable that Israeli forces will eradicate them. This is Hamas’ dilemma, and holding on to the hostages after the 72 hours is a way for them to buy time and hope they can survive or rebound by some future, unknown circumstances.

Israel is also faced with a dilemma. Without the return of the hostages, Israel would, in part, be willing to negotiate with terrorists. A stance that never works because it only encourages future terrorist groups to attack a superior military force. From the Israeli perspective, the return of the hostages is paramount, and they will continue military incursions in Gaza until this demand is secured.

Even still, the world’s opinion of Israel’s actions deteriorates daily. What appeared to be a righteous defense of their nation two years ago, to many around the world, is being defined as genocide. Public relations are terrible for Israel now, and will only continue if Israel is not willing to end the war. Besides losing the narrative of self-defense, what is at stake for them is friendly nations no longer willing to support them. No country can prosper without the help of peaceful nations, especially in the Middle East.

It’s often said that a perfect negotiation occurs when neither side gets all they want. Let’s hope and work towards a perfect negotiation in the Israel-Hamas conflict. More importantly, let’s remember that violence and killing never solve problems between people; they only make them worse. There is always hope for a peaceful resolution, and that’s the path we must strive for.

When will humans learn the lesson?