That Israel and Palestine have been at loggerheads for the longest time is a fact the world has learned to live with.

The delicate love-hate relationship between the two countries has acted as a barometer for measuring the levels of tension in the world’s peace and security.

Therefore, the recent conflagration between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday has raised a red flag in the international community. Reports indicate that the shocking and unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas has resulted in more than a thousand deaths on both sides and the abduction of scores of Israelis.

Conspiracy theorists and experts alike are still interrogating how the ever vigilant Israel was caught flat footed in the surprise attack. In addition, how did Hamas manage to bleach one of the most heavily surveilled borders in the world along the Gaza Strip? Anyway, the new flare up gives respite to Netanyahu, whose presidency has been faced by a serious constitutional crisis this year.

Due to the geopolitical ramifications of a full blown war between the two countries, it behooves the international community to step in and resolve the current conflict immediately before it escalates. But as is happening in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the world’s top superpowers, the United States (US) and China, have offered divergent formulae for the cessation of hostilities in the short and medium term, and a permanent solution to the perennial conflict.

Shortly after the attack, US President Joe Biden offered his unconditional support to Israel. This is not news, what with Israel being the superpower’s top ally not just in the Middle East, but even globally. But offering to arm Israel to the teeth to carry out its avowed revenge further proves that the US is an incorrigible war monger.

Let us not get it twisted though. No one can begrudge Israel’s right to defend itself. It owes its citizens security against internecine attacks. But in the words of Indian human rights lawyer Mahatma Gandhi, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”.

The US has repeated the same mistake it has done by arming Ukraine against Russia, a war whose deadly consequences have become extremely apparent.

That peace in the Middle East is possible, and is in everyone’s interest, is a fact which China has constantly drummed up. Its influence in the unprecedented rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March demonstrated that with sincerity, impartiality and the right approach, peace and understanding is achievable between the decades-old foes.

In a statement on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the country’s vision that the only way out of the Israel-Palestinian conflict could only be resolved by implementation of the two-state solution, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.

The statement appealed to the international community act with greater urgency, step up input into the Palestine question, and facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel”.

There is no doubt that enduring peace between Israel and Palestine could be achieved within a year if the US agreed to join hands with China in searching for a non-violent solution.

Already, Ireland has hit international headlines for siding with Palestinians in the latest conflict as evidenced by demonstrations in Belfast and the use of Palestinian flags on the social media counts of some politicians. This is not normal for a Western nation.

Countries that have experienced the struggle for freedom and independence will definitely empathize with Palestine’s predicament and longing for self-determination. On the other hand, there are those who support Israel’s historical claims to the land it occupies.

It is a dicey scenario that needs a thawing of the hardline positions by both parties, and a full diplomatic approach by those with the best interests of either ally at heart.

— The writer is a PhD candidate in Public Relations