On October 7th, 2023, conflict erupted in the Gaza Strip as the terrorist organization Hamas used explosives to gain control of Gaza. Since that fateful day, more than 46,000 innocent Palestinians have lost their lives to the warfare that has been waged between Hamas and the Israeli government. Thankfully, in light of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire has successfully been reached, and thousands of Gazans, Israelites, and Palestinians have begun their journeys home.
The ceasefire can be credited to a vast number of international actors. The United States, being the main benefactor of humanitarian and military aid into the region, played a significant role in facilitating dialogue between Israel and Hamas. The Biden administration commonly delivered aid into the Gaza region, for both the government of Israel and citizens of Palestine.
The stabilizing aid provided by the Biden administration certainly had strings; it was used both to assist the citizens affected by the war, but at the same time served as a bargaining chip for the United States to reorient the goal of the Israeli government to reaching a ceasefire. As a result, newly elected President Trump’s promise to reach a ceasefire deal before coming into office was also partially fulfilled. Through his close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Trump administration was able to convince Israel to come to an agreement with Hamas. The key factors behind this deal were domestic stability and further aid to be supplied during the Trump administration.
Outside of the United States, regional powers such as Qatar aided in the collaboration which later formed the ceasefire. Qatari Prime Minister Jassim Al Thani publicly stated that Qatar believes Palestine should retain governance over Gaza after all troops and prisoners are returned to their home countries. While this rhetoric may cause bumps in the ceasefire down the line, humanitarian aid will also be supplied by Qatar to the citizens of Gaza.
In a war-torn region like the Middle East, peace is the most difficult objective to reach among all countries involved. The Gaza conflict has claimed countless lives, and to see it finally come to an end is a relief for the citizens of Gaza and those who support them internationally. Through the coming months, actors like the United States and Qatar must continue to foster peace in the region. Without their help, thousands of more lives will be lost, and suffering will only continue.
