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The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place for more than a week. But a pathway to long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians remains elusive.
A new RAND report maps such a pathway by asking how the United States, Israelis, Palestinians, and other stakeholders could turn away from the current war and the decades-long cycle of destruction and toward a lasting peace.
The destination is not a “two-state solution” but a “second state,” Palestine, that can commit to nonviolence and living peacefully with Israeli neighbors.
The path begins with security for Israelis living near Gaza and throughout the country, as well as for Gazans subjected to bombardment and martial law. This will require the elimination of Hamas as a security threat and a governing entity. A durable peace will also depend on bold, credible leadership by Israelis and Palestinians, and on new approaches to governance, economics, and social reconstruction.
The authors note that support from the international community is key, but other countries may need to rethink the roles they play. For example, the United States should view itself as an orchestrator, not the sole mediator. The UK, the EU, and Arab states have important roles to play, too. The West could also look for ways to involve China, assuming Beijing commits to the strategy. But spoilers such as Russia and Iran should be kept out.
If successful, this would be transformative for the region, the people who live there, and the world. Failure would continue to threaten Israelis and Palestinians alike.
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