What can other countries do to stop the fighting?

US and Middle East negotiators are in Cairo to discuss a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Will it work?

July 21, 2014 5:00PM ET

by Inside Story Team @AJInsideStoryAM

It has been five days since Israel began its ground operation to destroy underground tunnel networks in Gaza and stop Hamas fighters from firing rockets. Neither side is backing down, and the conflict is getting deadlier with each passing day.

Reacting to events in Gaza City over the weekend, President Barack Obama said from the White House lawn, "Israel has the right to defend itself from rocket and tunnel attacks from Hamas, and as a result of its operations, Israel has already done significant damage to Hamas' terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. I have also said, however, that we have serious concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives."

Sixty Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers died in Sunday's fighting. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called Israel's attack "an atrocious action."

While the fighting raged in Gaza, the diplomatic push began in earnest. In appearances across the network Sunday morning talk shows, Secretary of State John Kerry said it was Hamas that needed to act. But an unguarded moment between interviews was caught on tape and aired by Fox News on Sunday:

‘It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation. We got to get over there … We ought to go tonight. I think it’s crazy to be sitting around.’

John Kerry

U.S. secretary of state

It was quickly announced that Kerry would head to Cairo to join talks there. On Monday, Obama underlined the importance of the mission, saying, "I have instructed him to push for an immediate cessation of hostilities based on a return to the November 2012 cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The work will not be easy. Obviously there are enormous passions involved in this and some very difficult strategic interests involved. Nevertheless, I've asked John to do everything he can to facilitate a cessation of hostilities. We don't want to see any more civilians being killed."

The interests and passions the president mentioned pulls in many nations with stakes in ending the fighting. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf nations are in contact directly and indirectly with both sides. Over the weekend, Ban was in Doha, Qatar, meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

‘I know there are real differences between Qatar and Egypt, Egypt and Turkey and others. But what we have found now is that everybody is putting those differences aside and they all want to stop the Palestinian bloodshed.’

Saeb Erakat

chief Palestinian negotiator

Qatar and its emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, have emerged as mediators with strong ties to Hamas' political leaders. Also key is Egypt and its new president, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who earlier put a cease-fire on the table. Hamas rejected it, though Israel said it was acceptable. "Gaza is an open wound," said Ban in Cairo, "and a Band-Aid won't help."

As diplomats continue their urgent efforts at peace in the region, Kerry arrived in Egypt on Monday afternoon and will meet with Ban.

Who has the influence to get Hamas and Israel to stop the violence?

What can be done to keep violence from recurring?

Will Kerry's presence in the region make a difference? Who can get the lines of communication going between the warring sides?

We consulted a panel of experts for the Inside Story.