Germany Advocates for Two-State Solution in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

LONDON: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has recently made a strong case for the necessity of a two-state solution to resolve the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She emphasized that achieving peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians is contingent upon mutual recognition and addressing each other’s grievances.

According to Philippines News Agency, she highlighted the importance of both sides acknowledging the other’s suffering as a crucial step towards peace. She stressed that the cessation of threats and hostilities is imperative, including the need for Hamas to lay down its weapons, as well as for Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels to stop their provocations. Baerbock also underscored the dire need for Palestinians to have the opportunity for a life of safety, dignity, and self-determination.

The conflict saw a significant escalation with Israel’s air and ground attacks on Gaza following a cross-border incursion by Hamas on Oct. 7 last year. These attacks resulted in at least 22,800 Palestinian casualties and more than 58,400 injuries. The Hamas attack is believed to have killed nearly 1,200 Israelis. The aftermath of these events has left Gaza heavily damaged, with about 60 percent of its infrastructure either destroyed or impaired, leading to displacement of nearly two million residents and severe shortages of essentials such as food, water, and medicines.

Tensions have also escalated along the Lebanon-Israel border, marked by the deadliest exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah group since their 2006 war. Additionally, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have increased their involvement in the conflict, targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea that they claim are bound for Israel, in a declared effort to support Palestinians in Gaza.