As the latest two days of Gaza operation were marked by the activation of the diplomatic regional and international efforts to achieve a ceasefire along with a settlement of Gaza question, the political proposals and preliminary ideas in this regard started to come out for discussion and negotiation with the concerned parties. In addition, given that the results of the military actions of Gaza operation so far are still inconclusive in terms of achieving political significance and impact of this operation, the international proposals and initiatives have more importance in the pursuit of reaching a ceasefire along with a settlement of this question.

In this regard, these regional and international diplomatic efforts have not yet produced a comprehensive proposal or initiative as a settlement plan could be acceptable and applicable to end this conflict, especially as a durable settlement. Up to this point, there are only proposed basic ideas and standards for this settlement, which have been announced publicly or leaked.

The most important proposal, in this regard, has been the Palestinian and European proposals about international monitoring in Gaza strip. It is also worthy of mention that the idea of monitoring in Gaza came first from the White House at a previous stage of Gaza operation through an earlier official statement, but for now, there is no declared position on the international monitoring by the White House.

This proposal came along with a revived Palestinian old proposal about deploying international forces as a peacekeeping force in Gaza strip. This is definitely the most important proposal since the Israeli withdrawal from the strip, which may finally settle the question of the turbulent strip since then, and preserve peace there. This actually means the internationalization of Gaza question, which is, in my view, the ultimate guarantee of peace and settlement in the strip along with the normalization of its conditions, especially in humanitarian terms.

However, Hamas has always been refusing international peacekeeping forces in the strip. This is completely understandable as it intends to control the strip on its own and on its behalf and its regional sponsors’ behalf. In fact, as an armed group or a militia, Hamas does not care about the welfare of Gaza strip, but rather it only looks after its own interests and project in the light of its regional affiliation.

On the other side, Israel has refused the international monitoring in Gaza strip in accordance with a traditional Israeli stand of rejecting the internationalization of any Palestinian affair. However, in the light of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza strip and the Israeli declared intention of ending its occupation there, this current Israeli position is definitely suspicious and not indicating good faiths in this regard.