Dear <<First Name>>,

We are now more than two months into the war between Israel and Hamas and, though estimates of the high-intensity phase of this war may be ending in three or four weeks, the devastation and destruction wrought up until this point make that estimate hardly anything to be excited about.

Not only has the fighting intensified and areas to which Gazan civilians can escape shrunk, there is still the matter of over 100 hostages still being held in Gaza, with no new negotiations on the horizon.

It was reported yesterday that Qatari mediators have asked Israel to resume negotiations which would see a release of the remaining female hostages as well as other humanitarian elements. While these conversations are still in their infancy, we support an immediate resumption of mediation talks and a pause in fighting that sees the release of more hostages still being held in Gaza.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, it is clear that the way in which Israel is fighting this war is detrimental not only to the local civilian population, but also to the potential of a negotiated deal following the war which sees an independent Palestinian state alongside an Israeli one.

The amount of destruction and loss endured by civilians all but guarantees the radicalization of large swaths of the youth population in Gaza. Destroying Hamas is more than just capturing militants or killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, but must also be about rendering the ideology that led to the creation and strengthening of Hamas in the first place useless.

An additional pause, therefore, one that sees more hostages released and more essential aid to Gazan civilians, does more than just accomplish short-term, immediate goals of both sides - this pause also symbolizes a way forward for both societies. It shows that through negotiation, dialogue, and compromise, bitterly warring factions can eventually find a way to peace.

We encourage Israeli officials to agree to further negotiations mediated by international players to allow for immediate relief, and advocate for a just and long-term solution that is brought forth not through intensified fighting but through political and policy-based dialogue.