France and Saudi Arabia are seeking to revitalize the push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during this year's United Nations General Assembly. The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip has intensified their efforts, which include a new roadmap for Palestinian statehood in territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war. Recently, Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognized a Palestinian state, joining nearly 150 other countries. France is expected to announce its recognition at the General Assembly this week.

However, these initiatives face significant challenges, particularly from the United States and Israel. The U.S. has barred Palestinian officials from attending the General Assembly, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened unilateral actions, including the potential annexation of parts of the West Bank, which could further hinder Palestinian aspirations for independence.

The international community has long viewed the establishment of a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza as essential for resolving the conflict, which has persisted for over a century. Advocates argue that a two-state solution would allow Israel to maintain its identity as a democracy with a Jewish majority. In contrast, the current situation, where Jewish Israelis enjoy full rights while Palestinians live under varying degrees of Israeli control, has been criticized by major human rights organizations as akin to apartheid.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of a two-state solution, stating, "Israel must understand that the one-state solution, with the subjugation of the Palestinian people without rights -- that is absolutely intolerable. Without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East."

Peace negotiations have stalled since Netanyahu returned to power in 2009, with no substantive talks occurring since then. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and expanded Jewish settlements in Palestinian areas, complicating the prospect of a viable Palestinian state. In Gaza, Israel's military actions have resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and displaced approximately 90% of the territory's 2 million residents, leading to widespread humanitarian crises.

In response to the ongoing conflict, France and Saudi Arabia have proposed a phased plan to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state governed by the Palestinian Authority, with international support. This plan calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages, and a complete Israeli withdrawal. Hamas would transfer power to a politically independent committee under the Palestinian Authority, although it has yet to disarm.

The international community would assist in rebuilding Gaza and governing the territories, potentially with foreign peacekeepers. The plan also envisions regional peace and integration, which may include Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. A nonbinding resolution endorsing this initiative was approved by the U.N. earlier this month.

Despite these efforts, the U.S. and Israel argue that recognizing a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages. Recent ceasefire talks have collapsed, with Israel conducting strikes against Hamas negotiators in Qatar. Netanyahu has framed international recognition of Palestinian statehood as a direct threat to Israel, warning that unilateral actions could provoke similar responses from Israel.

The French-Saudi plan does not address several contentious issues, including final borders, the fate of Israeli settlements, the return of Palestinian refugees, security arrangements, the status of Jerusalem, and the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. It also relies heavily on the Palestinian Authority, which faces significant distrust among Palestinians who view its leadership as corrupt and ineffective. The plan proposes Palestinian elections within a year, but President Mahmoud Abbas has previously postponed elections when his party faced potential losses, citing Israeli restrictions.

As the situation evolves, the future of the two-state solution remains uncertain, with many fearing that the plan may ultimately join the ranks of previous failed peace initiatives, leaving Israel in control of the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, while millions of Palestinians continue to be denied basic rights.