Iran-Israel war diverting attention from Gaza crisis

Editor's note: Anthony Moretti, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the U.S. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of either CGTN or Robert Morris University.

Saudi Arabia and France intended to co-host a summit this week at the United Nations in the hope of finding a path to a sustained peace in Gaza. Unfortunately, the rapidly escalating war between Israel and Iran necessitated the postponement of the event. But for how long? The UN's most recent ceasefire resolution said the conference should take place by June.

If the summit does happen eventually, perhaps the most important issue is whether the U.S. will continue to be an obstacle to peace. The grim reality is that as long as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to view Israel as an actor that can do no wrong, whether in Gaza, Iran or somewhere else, no progress is likely to be made on reaching the only reasonable solution: a state for Israel and a state for Palestine.

There is also a second dire truth that cannot be forgotten. If the conflict between Israel and Iran expands, will the situation in Gaza be relegated to second-tier status? If it is, then the people of Gaza will suffer horrible consequences. Palestinians are already voicing concerns on the media that with public attention shifting to the Iran-Israel war, "whoever doesn't die from Israeli bombs dies from hunger."

The current crisis began in October 2023, meaning it has blown past 600 days, and there is little optimism that a legitimate peace deal is possible.

Thus, the catastrophe in Gaza will only worsen. Estimatedly, more than 50,000 people inside Gaza have been killed since the new crisis started. In recent weeks, Israel ramped up its military operations, which has added to the death toll.

When the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, pleaded with world leaders to "wake up" and acknowledge the "horrifying" conditions in Gaza, his words did not move certain countries to do the right thing.

The stubborn position of the U.S. and Israel is in stark contrast to what China is advocating. Supported by the European Union and aligned with the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, China is calling for an immediate and meaningful ceasefire.

Beijing has also said unequivocably that the conflict between Israel and Iran must cease. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held phone calls with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Gideon Saar respectively on Saturday, made it clear that China "explicitly condemns Israel's violation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and firmly opposes the reckless attacks targeting Iranian officials and causing civilian casualties."

Wang Yi also affirmed that China stands ready to play a "constructive role in de-escalating the situation."

But for that to happen, restraint from Israel is required, and considering the absence of restraint it has shown in Gaza, there is no reason to think that will happen.

The two-state solution will not end the tension in the Middle East. It will not be the magic wand that spreads permanent peace across the whole of the region. However, it will provide Palestinians their own nation, and let's not forget that well over 75 percent of UN member states recognize a sovereign State of Palestine. China was among the first batch of nations to recognize Palestine; unfortunately, the U.S. and most of the Western world remain opposed to this.

The people of Gaza are hoping that the war between Israel and Iran will not divert the world's attention away from their plight. And from the need for the creation of their own state.

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