Abstract
This study critically examined the roles of external actors in mediating the Israel–Hamas conflict, focusing on how these international stakeholders have influenced peacebuilding efforts amid recurring violence and deep-rooted mistrust. Anchored on the objective to assess the strategies and challenges of external mediation in the conflict, the research employed a qualitative case study design and relied on secondary sources such as reports, scholarly articles, policy documents, and diplomatic communiqués. Through thematic analysis, the study uncovered that while external actors such as Egypt, Qatar, the United Nations, and the United States have played pivotal roles in facilitating ceasefires, providing humanitarian aid, and initiating indirect dialogue between the conflicting parties, their interventions have often been limited by bias, lack of coordination, and competing political agendas. One of the key findings revealed that the absence of a unified and neutral mediation approach has continued to weaken the legitimacy and effectiveness of external peace efforts. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for a shift toward a more inclusive, coordinated, and locally grounded mediation process that recognizes the asymmetrical nature of the conflict. It recommends that external actors adopt a principled and long-term strategy focused not only on short-term ceasefires but on addressing the structural causes of the conflict in line with international norms and local realities.