Gaza, the day after | The Press

War today, tomorrow what? The bombings and the ground offensive are raging in the Gaza Strip without any answer to this crucial question.

It is the duty of the international community to reflect now on the purpose of the conflict. And Canada must regain the voice it already had in the past if it wants to play a constructive role in these reflections and avoid being further marginalized on the international scene.

Israel’s immediate objective is to eradicate Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. No one questions the right of the Jewish state to defend itself and ensure the security of its citizens, after the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 which caused the death of 1,400 Israelis and took more than 240 hostages, according to IDF. Innocent civilians.

But there are limits. “Israel’s response cannot be the suffering of all Palestinian civilians,” explained Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, during an editorial interview with The PressTHURSDAY.

However, more than 9,000 Gazans have died under bombs over the past three weeks. Mostly women and children. While even hospitals and schools are being bombed, the besieged population has nowhere to seek safety.

We must condemn these attacks which go against international law, according to UN experts. Just as we must denounce the Jewish settlers who are taking advantage of the war to expand their territory in the West Bank, by violently pushing back the Palestinians who live there, which risks opening another front to the conflict.

For now, Canada remains timid. Following his allies, he simply demanded a truce. This would have the merit of delivering humanitarian aid and promoting the safe evacuation of the 440 Canadians stuck in Gaza, without however resolving the fundamental issues.

Eradicating Hamas, what exactly does that entail? Is this even possible?

Let’s face it, we can kill fighters, but not an idea. The children of Gaza who see their loved ones die under bombs today risk becoming tomorrow’s fighters. By blowing on the fire to put it out, we will unfortunately have given it oxygen.

And if Israel succeeds in eradicating Hamas, what will be the next step?

The religious far-right faction of the Israeli government is openly toying with the idea of ​​moving Gazans to Egypt, which is completely inconceivable. Egypt, already struggling with terrorism problems, is against it. And in any case, we cannot make the Palestinians, who have their own national identity, a people without a country.

In the medium term, it will therefore be necessary to find a new form of governance in Gaza that will ensure order and prevent new attacks on Israel.

The UN, which already supplies the enclave, could send joint forces from different Arab countries. But that would be an external solution. Otherwise, the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah in the West Bank, could take control. But his weak and discredited government risks being perceived as a poster child for Westerners. And if the Palestinians go to the polls, the outcome of the elections could well displease the international community, as in 2006 when Hamas was elected, which led to a schism among the Palestinians.

That said, a solution for Gaza will never be sustainable if it is not part of a comprehensive solution for all Palestinians, including those in the West Bank. It starts by telling Israelis loud and clear to stop colonizing.

Since the attacks of October 7, we have never been so far from the two-state solution that Canada supports. But there is no alternative. The status quo is impossible. The recent attacks by Hamas have proven that the conflict will not resolve itself, as the international community had naively hoped after recent years of calm.

The two peoples are condemned to find a way to coexist. It is not bombs that will lead to lasting peace in the Middle East, but diplomatic efforts. You might as well get started as quickly as possible.

Even if Canada is not a leading player in the Middle East, it can play a constructive role there. This is what he did in the wake of the Olso Accords, 30 years ago, by taking charge of the committee overseeing the delicate question of the return of Palestinian refugees.

Founding member of the UN, creator of the Blue Helmets, Canada had made peace missions its international trademark. But since then, Ottawa’s foreign policy has lost its impact because it is aimed more at Canadians and Washington, whom it does not want to displease.

If Ottawa wants its voice to be heard internationally, it must be bold and put forward initiatives likely to unblock discussions. And ultimately, help the Israelis and Palestinians together find a solution for the Gaza Strip, the day after the war.