As the war in Gaza continues, it may seem the worst possible time to revisit the idea of a permanent political resolution to the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US President Joe Biden however, says a two-state solution is still possible. So how realistic is that aspiration? If not two states, what alternatives are there and which country, if any, is trusted by both sides to broker a deal? Amidst the violence, is there any reason to hope? Shaun Ley is joined by: Anshel Pfeffer, an Israeli journalist based in Jerusalem who writes for the Economist and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz; Tahani Mustafa, who is British-Palestinian and a senior Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group; Dennis Ross, who was Middle East Envoy in Clinton administration and later served as Special Assistant to President Obama on his National Security Council. Also featuring: Danny Danon, Israeli member of the Knesset for the Likud party Hiba Husseini, former Legal Adviser to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and current chair of the Legal Committee to Final Status Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis. Producer: Max Horberry and Ellen Otzen (Photo: Olive tree outside Jerusalem's old city. Credit: Getty Images)
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And this week, Israel and Hamas appear to have reached an agreement to exchange some of the hostages held in Gaza in return for a pause in fighting.
World leaders are hopeful that deal brings an end to war closer.
But further down the line, what might a political settlement look like?
US President Biden says there's only one way to ensure both Palestinians and Israelis feel secure.
We must keep pursuing peace, must keep pursuing a path so that Israel and the Palestinian people can both live safely, in security, in dignity and in peace.
For me, that means a two state solution.
Thirty years ago, a peace agreement was signed between Israel and the Palestinians.
After months of secret negotiations, the Oslo accords were a hopeful moment in the conflict.
Israel's Yitzhak Rabin shook hands with Yasser Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
We who have come from a land where parents bury their children, we who have fought against you, the Palestinians, we say to you today in a loud and a clear voice, enough of blood and tears, enough.
But once again, Israeli and Palestinian blood has been shed.
Israel says it's not ready to accept the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.
I think today most Israelis, if you ask them, the answer will be no.