Israel bombed Lebanon and the Gaza Strip just days before the first anniversary of the Oct. 7th attacks. This bombardment has been the most severe on Beirut since Israel’s escalated campaign against Hezbollah last month. In the Gaza Strip, at least 26 people were killed and 93 wounded as they were sheltering in a mosque and nearby school. Iran has also launched a missile attack on Israel in response to its aggression in Lebanon and Gaza as a move of solidarity with Hezbollah. This attack also comes after the killing of Hezbollah’s leader last month which was a result of Israel’s fortified campaign in Lebanon. Since the beginning of the conflict, in which Hamas attacks killed 1,200 Israeli civilians, Israel’s retaliation has continued to escalate with the stated objective of returning tens of thousands of citizens to homes in northern Israel, creating a possibility for an all-out regional conflict. 

Despite pressure from countries around the globe, Israel has continued to ignore calls for a ceasefire as a reported 42,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli bombings. The U.S. has said that they would not support strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and has called for a ceasefire regarding escalating conflict on the ground in Lebanon, however, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel would operate independently in regards to its activity in Iran. He has stated that “everything is on the table,” and that “Israel has capabilities to hit targets near and far – we have proved it.”

Despite the death of so many Palestinian civilians, the Israeli military has claimed its recent attacks were conducted to be “precise strikes on Hamas terrorists.” However, the United Nations’ refugee chief stated that there were “many instances” in which the Israeli military violated international law by hitting civilian infrastructure during airstrikes and killing civilians in Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron released a statement over the weekend stating that shipments of arms to Israel should be stopped. This statement was met with resistance as Israel claimed that such a step would disadvantage them in favor of Iran. 

There has already been heavy involvement of international organizations in mitigating the conflict and establishing a platform for peace negotiations. However, due to the deeply complex relationship between Israel and Palestine, indivisible objectives, extremism, and conflicts that deepen the security dilemma and motivate ethnic cleansing, this systemic issue does not have any single solution. However, a ceasefire is a hugely important and necessary step towards not only peace talks and negotiations but also ending the humanitarian crisis and increasing civilian death toll that persists because of this conflict. Israel and Hamas came together in May of 2024, to draft a ceasefire proposal which Hamas has endorsed, but Netanyahu has stated was unsatisfactory. Netanyahu has claimed that negotiations are still ongoing. However, the persistence of the war in the last five months has demonstrated a lack of urgency in achieving this ceasefire resolution. Israel’s arsenal is largely fueled by Western countries, mainly, the United States with whom they have a deep-seated alliance. Cutting off the shipment of firearms to Israel will very likely weaken Israel’s campaign, which can lessen the exacerbation of the security dilemma and de-escalate the conflict. An arms embargo is crucial to form a more open platform for negotiation and stop this conflict from becoming a regional war. Additionally, states must implement trade sanctions with Israel to de-fund the ongoing conflict. Western states have a responsibility to use their power to stop this war and to foster an environment that encourages negotiations. This means recognizing both Israel’s right to defend itself, but also the crimes committed against humanity in pursuing retaliation.

The Israel-Palestinian conflict has long been considered a humanitarian crisis as massive death tolls have steadily and continuously risen. There have been constant calls for a ceasefire internationally as peace talks and negotiations have been either denied or deemed unsatisfactory by Israel. The U.N. has also condemned Israel and its Prime Minister Netanyahu for their practices and the crimes they have committed against the Palestinian people and its pursuit of conflict in Lebanon. The U.N. General Assembly has also passed a resolution with an overwhelming majority demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Additionally, the International Criminal Court has officially issued an arrest warrant for both Hamas leaders and Prime Minister Netanyahu for alleged war crimes during the conflict. 

Once again, the solution to conflict involves the participation of the international community. International pressure is needed to end the conflict and bring justice to its victims. The U.S. must reconsider its role in fueling this ongoing conflict, and commit to an arms embargo which has already been drafted in its legislative branch. Other Western countries must do the same and reconsider an international alliance that fuels a humanitarian crisis. International organizations have utilized all their resources to end this conflict, but, unfortunately, it has not been enough. States must work together to call for a ceasefire, now.