Breaking Barriers: How Incentives Can Lead to Lasting Peace in Gaza

The recent acknowledgment of a Palestinian state by Spain, Norway, and Ireland was regarded as a symbolic gesture with comparatively minimal consequences in contrast to a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. However, the diplomatic action should be appreciated as an extra motivation for Israel to mitigate its reaction to the lethal assault carried out by Hamas on Israeli civilians last year.

Israel has strongly criticized the European states for their decision and emphasized the importance of continuing their efforts to combat the situation. The national security adviser stated that an additional period of seven months is required to completely dismantle the military and governance capacities of Hamas.

The crisis in Gaza, which is already in its eighth month, has had a devastating impact. In May, Israel acknowledged a "regrettable error" during an aerial attack that ignited a refugee tent camp in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of numerous individuals, including a significant number of children.

According to Gaza health authorities, the death toll since the war started exceeds 36,000 Palestinians. Even Israel's most intimate allies have expressed profound indignation at the loss of civilian lives.