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Who will save Israel from itself?
As even the most cynical international politicians begin to realise they cannot deny that Israel’s war has gone far beyond ‘defeating Hamas,’ ALAN SIMPSON looks at how other countries could force a peace on the region
WAR SPIRAL: Israeli soldiers drive a tank to a staging area near the border with Lebanon, October 11 2023

THE world breathed a sigh of relief at the “pause” in the Gaza bombings. Most shared something of the relief expressed by families of the released hostages and of the aid getting into Gaza. Many connected with the anxiety of those still waiting for more. And many more just wonder what will follow.

Inside Gaza, the injured could move to safer hospitals. Aid and medical supplies could be shipped in. The newly homeless could seek shelter elsewhere. Babies in incubators were transferred to other intensive care units (though not in Israel). And the bodies of the dead began to be salvaged from the rubble.

For a moment, the world was invited to forget the overstretched (and understaffed) hospital units, struggling to keep people alive without the basics of water, electricity and medical supplies.

  • Britain suspending all arms supplies to Israel until serious peace negotiations are re-established (diverting such resources to the more urgent defence needs of Ukraine).
  • US naval support in the Mediterranean must become conditional on a programme that removes illegal settlements from the West Bank and returns “safe streets” to Palestinians in Hebron.
  • A structured international framework should be set up to restart two-state or one-state negotiations that deliver security for both Jews and Arabs.
  • Two-thirds of all aid going to Israel must be diverted into the rebuilding of Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority having oversight of the plans for a safe return for Palestinian refugees.
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