WPLN: Q&A: International conflict expert talks Israel-Hamas war, civilian casualties, and the inevitability of peace
Professor Samar Ali with one of her cousins in an olive grove on their family’s farm near Jerusalem.
The Israel-Hamas war continues with heavy civilian casualties.
Earlier this month, Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing over 1,400 and abducting at least 130 people.
Israel retaliated with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, killing over 2,800 people. That number is expected to rise, as airstrikes continue.
The Gaza Strip is small and densely-populated. And half of its population are children. It has been under blockade for 16 years, which means people living there can’t easily leave. The amount of food, water, fuel and electricity that crosses into the area is controlled by the Israeli government.
Vanderbilt professor Samar Ali is an international conflict resolution expert who works with the U.S. government and the United Nations. She’s also the founding president of Millions of Conversations, which is hosting an interfaith conversation about the war in Gaza later this month.
WPLN’s general assignment reporter Rose Gilbert spoke with Ali about the current conflict — and how we talk about it.