Israel cannot secure lasting peace while Gaza remains in crisis

The United Nations World Food Programme's suspension of aid to approximately half a million people in Gaza due to funding issues underscores that a ceasefire alone does not equate to lasting peace. Despite Israel's more recent abatement of aggression since last year's truce, the plight of Gaza's civilians persists in a dire state.

With around 1.4 million residents grappling with acute food insecurity and numerous others relying on assistance merely for basic necessities, the situation is dire. Families bereft of homes and income prospects depend on such aid for survival. Beyond the ethical imperative to address this crisis, there are wider implications. As Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative of Gaza's Board of Peace, warned in The National, permitting Gaza to remain in a perpetual state of uncertainty is not a substitute for a political resolution.

His concern that despair could attract extremism to the region is a warning that resonates with those seeking a lasting security arrangement. This message may weigh heavily on Israeli voters as they prepare for next week's general election, currently ranked as a tightly contested contest with no clear frontrunner. For Palestinians living in Gaza, the outcome of these elections holds immense weight, even though they have no direct influence on the result.

Some individuals have delayed significant life events like marriages, home renovations, or business endeavors until the election's outcome is known, hoping for a shift in Israeli government that could alter their circumstances. However, these hopes may not materialize. A change in Israeli leadership does not necessarily translate into a significant policy shift, and the security concerns that dominate Israeli politics will not dissipate swiftly.

At the same time, Israeli security cannot be attained through perpetual military pressure while Gaza's populace remains entrenched in poverty. Moreover, many Palestinian leaders have let their populace down. The elections initially scheduled for next November have been postponed by a year, eliminating any chance for leadership renewal.

In the immediate term, donors must urgently bridge the funding gap, while those controlling access to Gaza must ensure the timely delivery of essential supplies. While humanitarian aid is not synonymous with political advancement, its absence will only exacerbate the prospects for progress. Those who bear responsibility should recognize that prolonging hunger and despair may postpone the next crisis, but it will not avert it.

Those tasked with shaping Israel's next government, Palestinian political leaders, international donors, and regional partners must acknowledge that the cost of disregarding a just two-state solution will be borne long after the immediate headlines fade away.