CRI听力:What is the Solution to Israel-Gaza Conflict?

As Egypt-brokered negotiations falter, conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza resumed after a temporary ceasefire collapsed earlier this week. Why it is so difficult to reach a ceasefire? How do experts from both sides think about the solution to the conflict?

CRI's XYee has more.

What is the Solution to Israel-Gaza Conflict? 

The large gap between the demands of the Palestinians and the Israelis in the indirect negotiations in Cairo has made a long-term truce difficult to reach.

Palestinians demand that Israel end its eight-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, and re-open an airport and seaport while Israel insists on the demilitarization of the Hamas rule area.

Professor Mukhaimar Abu Saada with Al-Azhar University in Gaza says Israel is not willing to reach a permanent ceasefire.

"It seems to me that the Israelis want a ceasefire, but without giving the Palestinian groups any concessions, or any tangible or positive concessions that could be seen by the Palestinian resistance as a political achievement."

The conflict of over six weeks has caused the death of around 2,100 Palestinians, with more than 10,000 injured. 68 Iaraelis also died.

Despite the renewed hostility, experts from both sides think there's still a chance for an Egypt-brokered ceasefire, although it's difficult for them to be optimistic to see peace in the near future.

Professor Efraim Inbar is the Director of Israel's Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies.

"Not every problem has a solution, and I think that the Israelis as well as the Palestinians are not tired enough of the conflict and they are still ready to continue to fight and pay heavy price. Therefore, there's not going to be any agreement any time soon."

However, the continuous conflict has made more and more people realize that military actions cannot solve the problem.

Adele Raemer is an Israeli living near Gaza.

"It won't stop until they sit down and make concessions, make an agreement. Peace agreements don't come from war."

Professor Mukhaimar Abu Saada also agrees that a political solution is the only choice.

"A political settlement is based on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, which can live in peace and security alongside Israel. This is the only way to deal with this conflict, but unfortunately, neither Israel nor the Palestinian groups are ready to talk about peace now."

For Professor Moshe Maoz, a world-renowned Israeli expert on Arab and Middle East affairs, it's time to think out of the box.

"Israel doesn't have many options. We tried war, and there is no military solution. Why not try something different? Call for conference with Hamas and with the PLO to talk about a Palestinian state. Things change all the time, you cannot stick to the past forever. You have to try and change."

For CRI, I'm XYee.