By René Wadlow

With the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip continuing to increase the number of dead, wounded, and displaced and the danger of the conflict spreading to other areas of the Middle East, renewed efforts of conflict resolution need to be made. The United Nations (UN) has been active especially in relief efforts, and many Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) have expressed their concern. NGOs have also been active in relief efforts. However, the inadequate amount of relief supplies that enter the Gaza Strip limits the impact of nongovernmental activity.

From the start of the Gaza conflict more than 100 days ago, NGOs such as the Association of World Citizens have been highlighting positive steps on the path to negotiations. They have stressed four major steps:

1) An immediate ceasefire;

2) Release of hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails – often under administrative detention without trial;

3) Preventing the extension of the conflict to Lebanon’s frontier through negotiations with Hezbollah;

4) Preventing an increase in violence in the West Bank between Israeli settlers and Palestinian villages.

The start of hearings on the charge of genocide at the International Court of Justice has added international attention to the Gaza Strip situation and more broadly to the Israel-Palestine drama.

The need for conflict resolution action is great. The proposals of NGOs hold a light of hope.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.