Image Credits : The Economic Times
International diplomatic efforts to contain the Gaza conflict and prevent its escalation into a broader regional war have intensified. On Friday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sejourne visited Israel as ceasefire negotiations continued in Qatar.
The ongoing conflict has seen over 40,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with recent Israeli attacks causing additional casualties. In the latest 48-hour period, Israeli strikes resulted in 69 deaths and 136 injuries. The violence has led to widespread evacuations in northern and southern Gaza, including areas previously deemed “safe zones.”
The diplomatic push seeks to mitigate the risk of a larger regional conflict, especially amid concerns of retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah. Both Lammy and Sejourne emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and praised recent mediation efforts in Doha. They stressed the necessity of implementing proposed agreements quickly to avoid further escalation.
Negotiations in Doha, involving the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, have seen progress but are still fraught with challenges. The discussions are focused on achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and arranging for the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian detainees. However, Hamas has expressed dissatisfaction with new demands added to previous proposals, while Israel accuses Hamas of introducing additional conditions.
White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby described the talks as a critical step, though he noted that significant work remains. He indicated that while the discussions have been constructive, the complexity of the agreement necessitates careful implementation.
The conflict, which erupted on October 7 when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. In addition to the heavy toll in Gaza, Israeli forces have reported killing over 17,000 Hamas members. The situation has also led to violence in the West Bank, where Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian villages, further exacerbating tensions.
The global community is closely monitoring as diplomatic initiatives proceed. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel to further the peace process, amid warnings from Iran about potential retaliatory actions.