Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon: Searching for Solutions

DISCLAIMER
Dairies on Israel and the Palestinian territories are always contentious on this site and others.  This is understandable.  

In light of today's events, I would like to try and foster a positive and productive discussion insofar as this is possible on this topic.  So my question is: What are some solutions?  

If you are here to take cheap shots, demonize, or flame others who have a different take on this conflict that you.  FIND ANOTHER THREAD!!!

If you want to offer positive discussion and real solutions to the conflict follow me below the fold...

2 months ago I visited Israel-Palestine (and wrote about it here) with a group of students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Our goal was to get a first hand account of the conflict and meet with organizations from both perspectives working towards peace and reconciliation.  What amazed me the most about meeting with these groups were there perseverence.  The fact that they were working tirelessly for peace in the region despite the fact that the violence continued all around them with no end in sight.  That takes courage, conviction and compassion beyond the abilities of most people.  So I ask you to take inspiration from them as I have and try to think up a way out of this current mess we're in.

The current situation fills me with despair as I'm sure it does many of you.  So, what should we do about it?  I'll give it a shot and then hope to hear everyone's POSITIVE suggestions, feedback, and ideas.

First let's look at what each side needs to have to deescalate this current crisis.

Israel

1. The safe return of all captured soldiers from Gaza and Lebanon.

2. A halt to the launching of Quassam rockets from Gaza.

Palestine/Lebanon

1. Release of some number of Palestinian prisoners.

2. A cease-fire and withdrawl of IDF forces from Gaza and Lebanon.

Notice I didn't list what each side wants in the overall conflict but what they need to step back from the current crisis and get back to a situation where peace talks are at least plausible.  At this point saving face for each side is more important than saving lives, so we need to talk them back from the brink.

So here's my proposal.

The U.S. immediately appoints a special envoy to the region to try and diffuse the crisis.  The mere act of appointing someone (especially someone with stature such as James Baker) would send a message that we're serious.  Our envoy, along with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pressures the militants in Gaza and Lebanon to release Corporal Gilad Shalit and the others in exchange for 1. Israel immediately halts it's invasion of Gaza and 2. Israel releases a small number of non-violent prisoners to Abbas.

If we can get an agreement along these lines to stick, we can build on that with talks aimed at pressuring the Hamas and Abbas to do more to halt the Quassam attacks against Sderot, possibly in exchange for more prisoners as a show of good faith.

Remember that on the day this crisis started, Hamas agreed to a proposal that while not recognizing Israel's right to exist completely by any means, was a possible first step.  This conflict has also exposed a schism within Hamas, as the more pragmatic elected leaders have called for Shilat's release, while the more radical exiles have taken the hard line.  Our best bet is to marginalize the exiles while enticing the elected officials on the ground towards accepting the reality that Israel isn't going anywhere.

So that's my plan.  What's yours?