Cease-fire, negotions required to return sanity, reach peace in Mideast

It has been over a month since the horrible attack of Oct. 7 on Israel in which 1,200 lives were lost.

Since that time, there has been unprecedented violence, the likes of which have not been seen since the last world war, by Israel on the enclave of Gaza. The current humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening by the day. The situation is deplorable, as thousands of innocent people are subjected to an inhumane massacre from the sky.

Hundreds of innocent lives are being lost in air raids every day, most of whom had nothing to do with the Hamas attack. Water and food are being allowed in negligible amounts through the only border of the overpopulated, besieged enclave. Hospitals are experiencing a shortage of electricity, which is resulting in deaths of patients, including premature babies in incubators.

In short, Gaza has become a man-made hell on earth for innocent men, women and children. Over 11,000 people have been killed so far, an estimated 70 percent of whom are women and children. Hundreds of children are buried under the rubble of their bombed homes.

Those who are living in the occupied West Bank are facing harassment by armed Israeli settlers. The constant humiliation of people in the West Bank is a direct result of the current Israeli government's policy of arming settlers. Ministers are openly calling for annexation and expulsion of Palestinians without consequence.

Most likely, this is not a reflection of the sentiments of most Israelis, but it is a reflection of policies of extreme elements of the current Israeli administration. Hospitals have been bombed, and families of journalists have been killed. These are facts presented by responsible monitoring organizations.

The killing of civilians by Hamas, although not of the scale of Palestinian deaths in Gaza, is also deplorable and should be condemned. It is a published fact that Hamas was encouraged by the current Prime minister Netanyahu to counter the PLO with the aim of negating progress on the Oslo Accords for a two-state solution. Although killing or kidnapping of civilians is wrong under any circumstance, these events do not occur in a vacuum and must be viewed in the context of the desperate condition of Gazans living under occupation.

The people of Palestine have lived under occupation for over 75 years. The alleged use of civilians as human shields has never been authenticated by international agencies, and it is generally acknowledged by Israel that most of the Hamas assets are underground - which leads one to question why they are attacking by air.

It is generally acknowledged, based on historical facts, that extremists feed on perceived injustices. The use of disproportionate force encourages hostilities and is detrimental to both sides in the long run. Peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians is not only in the interest of people living in the area, but also for the U.S. The billions of dollars that are spent on the war machine can be used to benefit the American people directly.

The goal of peaceful coexistence is possible under the following conditions: diplomatic mediation between both parties to determine a viable long-term solution; the U.S. must stop vetoing UN resolutions which call for a Palestinian homeland along with Israel security concerns; and illegal settlements should be removed from areas which will be part of a future Palestinian state.

These goals, although difficult, are still achievable and will lead to a stable situation in the troubled Middle East region. Negotiations should consider the two-state solution that was already signed by the Palestinians, Israel and the U.S. Efforts must be bipartisan, and the interests of the American people should take precedence over the pressure of lobbyists.

Hopefully, sanity will prevail over hate, a cease-fire is achieved soon, innocent hostages and prisoners are released by both sides, and a peaceful long-term solution evolves from this painful period in history.

• Vaseem Iftekhar, of Hawthorn Woods, is a retired senior executive in pharmaceutical research and development. He is a member of the Daily Herald's Editorial Board advisory Sounding Board.