Negotiations to End the War in Gaza: Prospects, Challenges, and Next Steps, Part II
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 10:00 am - 11:30 am EST
Four months into the Israel-Hamas war, Qatar and Egypt are mediating a renewed negotiations process to bring about an extended pause to the conflict, which could be used as the basis for a permanent ceasefire. More than 27,000 Palestinians, over 1,400 Israelis, and at least 136 UNRWA aid workers have been killed to date, while more than 130 Israelis remain in captivity. In return for both sides agreeing to a long pause in the fighting, negotiators are trying to secure the simultaneous release of all Israeli hostages and a significant number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention as well as a surge in humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. What are the prospects for these talks? Can they lead to future negotiations over a permanent ceasefire? What are the current discussions taking place among Israelis and Palestinians about steps that could be taken after a ceasefire agreement? Is a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a realistic goal, and what interim arrangements must take place in the political and security spheres to enable the parties to reach this goal?
To answer these critical questions and more, MEI has assembled a panel of expert practitioners.
Speakers
Sultan Barakat
Professor of Public Policy, Qatar Foundation's Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Gershon Baskin
Middle East Director, International Communities Organization; former Israeli hostage negotiator
Hiba Husseini
Managing Partner, Husseini and Husseini LLC; legal advisor to the Palestine-Israel peace talks.; Chair, legal Committee to Final Status Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis
Randa Slim (Moderator)
Senior Fellow; Director, Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program, Middle East Institute