Israeli scholars Itai Ater and Yossi Spiegel assert their personal distinction from the Israel's governing administration.
A Long, Grueling Conflict in Israel: Time for Peace
October 7, 2023, marked a pivotal moment for Israel as it found itself under relentless attack. Over six hundred days later, the devastating war continues to rage, with no indication of an end. As the son of King David once penned, nearly two millennia ago in Ecclesiastes, "There is a time for everything, and a time for every activity under the heavens: (...) a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to destroy and a time to build; (...) a time for war and a time for peace." It's high time, any impartial observer will agree, that the time for healing, building, and making peace overdue.
The prolonged war jeopardizes the lives of countless Israeli hostages, exacerbates a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and leaves a dark stain on Israel's history. Regrettably, the Israeli government seems intent on perpetuating the conflict and shows no willingness to discuss post-conflict plans. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on May 1, "War has a supreme objective, which is victory over our enemies." Many ask what "victory" entails, how it can be asserted, or how long the government plans to pursue it, considering the war has raged for over a year and a half.
Public opinion polls suggest that around 70% of Israelis support ending the conflict and reaching an agreement to liberate the hostages. [The last one was conducted for the Israeli channel 12 by the Midgam Institute in April.] Not only the civilian populace, but numerous former military generals and intelligence chiefs, including from Mossad, believe the war serves no valuable purpose and undermines the country's security.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow;" Hillel the Elder warned over two thousand years ago, while Maimonides, writing in the 10th century, declared, "There is no greater commandment than the redemption of captives."
An Overview of Proposed Solutions
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has spurred several proposals for a resolution. Current plans call for a phased ceasefire, hostage release, prisoner swaps, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. These include a three-stage proposal, each stage lasting approximately six weeks, aimed at the release of all Israeli captives, a release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons, achieving a sustainable calm, and eventually, rebuilding Gaza over 3-5 years following Israeli withdrawal.
In May 2024, mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar drafted this proposal, which Hamas accepted, and later presented by US President Joe Biden. The United Nations Security Council supported it in June 2024 via Resolution 2735. In 2025, a modified version of this proposal led to a hostage-and-prisoner exchange agreement and a temporary ceasefire from January to March 2025, which included multiple rounds of exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
Another proposal called for a 60-day ceasefire followed by serious negotiations towards a lasting truce, including the release by Hamas of ten living hostages and bodies in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. It also involved Israel withdrawing to ceasefire lines and allowing hundreds of trucks daily with humanitarian aid to alleviate the unspeakable humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Another proposed plan, advocated by the Arab League and supported by international actors such as Germany, France, Italy, and the UK, calls for a six-month phase of Gaza’s reconstruction, the creation of a temporary technocratic committee to govern Gaza, and the establishment of an international fund for Gaza’s reconstruction. This plan counteracts some US proposals suggesting Palestinians temporarily or permanently leave Gaza for reconstruction, an idea that drew strong criticism due to its potential implications of forced displacement.
Netanyahu's Firm Stance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of hindering the initial 2024 proposal and taking a rigid stance against Hamas. Following the January-March 2025 ceasefire and hostage exchange, Israel resumed full-scale combat against Hamas in Gaza in March 2025, with Netanyahu declaring that the airstrike wave was "just the beginning." Israel is against Palestinian rule under Hamas and reject proposals that grant a role to the Palestinian Authority or UNRWA in Gaza. Netanyahu's government has not accepted proposals that include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza or lifting the siege without stringent security guarantees.
In conclusion, while international and regional mediators have presented solutions focused on phased ceasefires, hostage exchanges, prisoner releases, Israeli withdrawal, and Gaza reconstruction aimed at ending the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exhibited a firm security stance, opposing Palestinian rule under Hamas and rejecting proposals seen as compromising Israel's security. It is about time for Israeli leaders to take heed of the words of Hillel the Elder and Maimonides, and embrace the commandment to make peace and free captives. The warring must be brought to an end, and healing must commence.
After a prolonged and devastating war in Israel, the time for a ceasefire and peace talks is overdue. International and regional mediators have presented solutions aimed at hosting exchanges, prisoner releases, and Gaza reconstruction, yet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firm stance appears to hinder these efforts. It is crucial for Israeli leaders to consider the words of Hillel the Elder and Maimonides, embracing the commandment to make peace and free captives, and bring an end to the war and usher in a time for healing.
