Question 5: How could the Israel-Hamas conflict reach a peaceful resolution?
After decades of bloodshed, reaching a peaceful resolution is not a straightforward path. Based on this profile’s arguments in the previous 4 articles, we predict the conflict could end in one of two ways. Neither way is simple. And they both are quite costly. Either Hamas will be fully defeated, or Israel is forced to back down.
Hamas defeated
On many occasions Israelis officials have stated that the fight will go on until Hamas is fully eradicated. The way Hamas operates, achieving this goal is not feasible without mass casualties. For every Hamas soldier, Israel must dig two more graves for civilians. Moreover, with Hamas gone, the resistance will not be gone also. There will be a vacuum. There are other forces in the region that might step in to fill it. Iran, Hezbollah, and Houthies might even join forces so they wouldn’t be Israel’s next target. Gaza strip absent Hamas does not equate a stable and peaceful Israel.
Israel pressured to stop
Israel keeps pushing forward. Despite so many videos and images of civilian casualties. Regardless of UN’s warnings and condemnations. Indifferent massive riots around the world. Disregarding ICC’s ruling. When dealing with such a strong-headed bully, not even sanctions would be enough to pressure Israel into compliance . One possible way to force Israel into submission would be deploying the Blue Helmets. The peacekeeping forces could have the necessary push for convincing Israel to stop. But, that is not a probable solution. Deploying the Blue Helmets requires UNSC’s approval. The US could and most likely would VETO this plan.
The least bad path
Real peace would likely require two simultaneous moves: internal Palestinian governance reform to sideline extremist factions, and a coordinated international push -including Israel’s allies -to enforce a ceasefire and revive negotiations. UN reform to curb VETO abuse would help, but that is a long game. In the short term, sustained global public pressure remains the most immediate lever -too loud for leaders to ignore, even if they’d rather.
Sahand E.P. Faez
Dr. Sahand E.P. Faez is an Economist from Iran. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Mazandaran, Iran. He is also in the process of receiving a PhD in International Relations from the National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. In his research Dr. Faez focuses on how macro-level national and international policies affect citizens’ livelihoods at a micro-level. His studies all focus on the Middle East and its political economy. He is the author of “The Price of War at Home: An Analysis of Civil War in Yemen and Syria” and has published more than 20 scientific papers on the region’s political, economic, and social issues. He also has several years of experience as a journalist both in Iran and Taiwan. He has authored several Op-Eds in Iran and was the editor of Middle East Weekly from 2020 to 2021.