Israel’s War in Gaza: The Humanitarian Crisis and Prospects for Peace

Weeks of an intense Israeli bombardment campaign following Hamas’s October 7 attack have created unprecedented devastation in Gaza, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 13,000 civilian lives, most of whom are women and children. Survivors grapple with acute scarcity and a dearth of essential commodities, including potable water and medicinal supplies. Alarmingly, the international community’s efforts to address the humanitarian situation have been insufficient in the face of Israel’s refusal to declare a ceasefire. There are worries that the ongoing regional escalation might turn into a broader conflict. Several countries have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and offered to mediate. Türkiye has proposed a guarantorship mechanism, involving regional countries, with the aim of establishing durable peace in Palestine. Given this complicated picture, what immediate actions should the international community take to address the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza? What might the framework of an internationally sanctioned peace settlement look like? Is such an arrangement feasible and attainable in the near term? How can mediation efforts lead to de-escalation, prevent a regional war, and lead to lasting peace?

The SETA Foundation in Washington DC is pleased to convene a panel of experts to discuss Israel’s war in Gaza and the prospects for achieving peace between Israel and Palestine.

Speakers

Khaled Elgindy, Senior Fellow, Director of Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs, Middle East Institute

Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

Randa Slim, Senior Fellow and Director of Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program, Middle East Institute 

Moderator

Kadir Ustun, Executive Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DC