The failure of international diplomacy to resolve the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has led to recurring tragedies, underscoring the urgent need for moral and sustainable solutions.
Witnessing the devastating humanitarian crisis unfolding in August 2025 makes it painfully clear that managing this conflict through reactive ceasefires alone—rather than addressing its underlying causes—will only perpetuate the cycle of violence.
Recent reports paint a grim picture of immense suffering. UNRWA and the WHO have documented the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, where an entire generation now suffers from acute malnutrition and psychological trauma. This humanitarian disaster stems directly from political inaction. Negotiations yield only fragile, short-lived truces while avoiding the core issues fuelling the conflict: the decades-long military occupation, the suffocating blockade that imposes collective punishment on civilians, and the absence of a viable political path recognising Palestinian self-determination. By focusing solely on symptom management rather than addressing the root causes, the international community ensures that any peace achieved will be nothing more than a brief interlude before violence reignites—eroding long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Resolving final-status issues through sustained diplomacy is essential to securing lasting peace. Though crises may emerge, the global community—including Pakistan—must prioritise determined negotiations that address security, dignity, and self-determination for both peoples. Only through bold, collectively endorsed efforts can the groundwork be laid for an equitable solution and an end to the conflict, allowing all to coexist in harmony.
DILAWAR KHAN,
Islamabad.