February 9, 2024
Since Hamas’ October 7 attack
triggered the most recent, brutal round of violence in Gaza, the discourse
surrounding the conflict has remained stunningly stagnant. Both sides find
themselves emboldened at home.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s war cabinet continues to argue that its vicious military campaign
is necessary to destroy Hamas and secure the release of over 100 Israeli
hostages held in Gaza. Yet, it is becoming increasingly clear that neither goal
will be achieved by force. Hamas and Palestinian factions, battered and
divided, continue to call for a permanent cease-fire and the full Israeli
withdrawal from Gaza, the release of thousands of Palestinian detainees and
prisoners, and an end to occupation—resulting in a Palestinian state. None of
these goals appear to be achievable by force either. The international
community, nearly unanimously, has been calling for a cease-fire which has been
repeatedly rejected by Israel and its military and diplomatic backers in the
White House.
While the discourse remains
gridlocked, developments on the ground are not. Palestinian casualties, in the
tens of thousands, are mounting daily. As physicians, we despair at the
inability to recognize our common humanity as Gaza’s healthcare system has totally
collapsed, food and medicine are scarce, and nearly half of all buildings have
been completely or partially destroyed, leaving 90% of Gazans displaced on
uninhabitable lands facing famine and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Of further concern, the violence has
spilled over into Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Three U.S. troops were killed and
more were injured in a recent drone attack in Jordan. The conflict is
positioned for further escalation, jeopardizing regional peace and threatening
U.S. interests.
Physicians are frequently faced with
difficult dilemmas, and we often advocate for plans to help treat conditions
and alleviate suffering by weighing variables we can and cannot control. We
believe there is a clear path to address the wants and needs of people in the
region outside of war, not only resolving this round of violence but also
setting the stage for lasting peace. The U.S. has tremendous leverage on all
sides and enormous resources in the region, and we must bring them to bear now.
We urge the Biden administration to utilize this leverage and present a clear
framework to end the violence and suffering.
Our prescription for a framework
leading to a peaceful resolution is:
1) An immediate cease-fire to stop
the bloodshed on all sides and allow for desperately needed aid to enter Gaza
while concurrently working with stakeholders and international partners to
negotiate terms of a sustained peace agreement. Calls to limit civilian
casualties, including limited pauses in fighting, have not been successful.
Continued violence will only result in further suffering and complicate efforts
to end the war.
2) An immediate exchange of hostages
and detainee and prisoners. Both sides have negotiated such agreements with
mediation provided by regional partners. In fact, CIA Director Bill Burns is
already mediating constructive negotiations with the support of Qatar and
Egypt. Several reports are indicating that both sides are closing in on a deal
to release the hostages.
3) Advocating for Palestinians to
govern Gaza and the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian
Liberation Organization, or a new technocratic Palestinian body can be tasked
with governing the strip with power handed off from Hamas. Arab countries can
play a role in providing security assurances in return for Israel withdrawing
from Gaza and lifting the blockade to allow rebuilding of the strip.
4) Providing a clear and credible
plan for resumption of peace talks on the basis of leading to a two-state
solution in return for normalization of relations and security. Israel and the
U.S. have made normalization between Israel and Arab countries a top priority.
A two-state solution has been endorsed by the U.S. and nearly every country in
the Middle East and is the clearest path for self-determination and an end of
the occupation. The Biden administration can and should begin working toward
the recognition of a Palestinian State and create the conditions necessary for
Palestinians to self-govern free of military occupation.
While these ideas are not novel, we
believe it is time for the Biden administration to publicly adopt and advance
them. The inhumane status quo must not continue. The United States faces
increasing isolation on the global stage in opposing a cease-fire and fueling
the war with weapons. With the implementation of these steps, a path for
lasting peace and prosperity in the region is possible.
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