Link to After nearly twenty months of relentless war, suffocating blockade, and an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, Gaza now stands exhausted at the edge of the abyss. What the Strip is experiencing is no longer a passing crisis, but a unique state of total devastation and daily suffering that has surpassed the limits of human endurance—and raised fundamental questions about destiny and the futureAfter nearly twenty months of relentless war, suffocating blockade, and an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, Gaza now stands exhausted at the edge of the abyss. What the Strip is experiencing is no longer a passing crisis, but a unique state of total devastation and daily suffering that has surpassed the limits of human endurance—and raised fundamental questions about destiny and the future
By Dr. Nidal Shoukeir
Professor of Strategic Communications and Governmental Relations
After nearly twenty months of relentless war, suffocating blockade, and an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, Gaza now stands exhausted at the edge of the abyss. What the Strip is experiencing is no longer a passing crisis, but a unique state of total devastation and daily suffering that has surpassed the limits of human endurance—and raised fundamental questions about destiny and the future.
Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been bleeding without pause: thousands killed and injured, hundreds of thousands displaced, a crumbling infrastructure, and entire cities reduced to rubble. All of this is the result of a broken political and military equation that began with decisions taken by Hamas and was met with a devastating Israeli war machine—turning Gaza into an open arena for settling regional and international scores, paid for with the blood and flesh of its innocent people.
Stalled Mediation and Three Key Obstacles
Despite the scale of the disaster, international mediation efforts began from the very first moments, seeking to de-escalate the conflict and open a window of hope. However, these efforts quickly collided with three major obstacles:
-An unprecedented level of Israeli intransigence, embodied in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on “eradicating” Hamas and prioritizing vengeance over political resolution.
-The internationalization of the crisis, as Iran’s proxies—from Hezbollah in Lebanon to the Houthis in Yemen—entered the fray, expanding the geographical scope and complicating any possible resolution.
-The weakness of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, which appeared powerless to exert influence as the presidential election approached. That weakness deepened after Biden announced he would not seek a second term, stripping Washington of any meaningful momentum or diplomatic initiative.
Trump’s Fragile Hope… Quickly Lost
But the hope was short-lived. The fragile deal collapsed just weeks later, and fighting resumed in Gaza’s streets. Three crucial factors led to the agreement’s failure:
-Israel’s firm insistence on eliminating Hamas entirely from Gaza and reshaping the ground rules, refusing any deal that would allow the group to remain in power.
-Hamas’s categorical refusal to negotiate its weapons or political existence, still believing it could reach a settlement that would restore the pre-war status quo with it remaining as Gaza’s ruling force.
-A shocking statement by President Trump on 5 February, in which he proposed a “radical solution” to the crisis: relocating Gaza’s population to “safe” neighboring countries, placing the Strip under U.S. control, and transforming it into the “Middle East Riviera.” The proposal provoked sharp reactions locally and internationally.
Following the deal’s collapse on 3 March, international mediators launched a new round of initiatives and consultations—but all failed for the same reasons. Meanwhile, Gaza witnessed unprecedented waves of protests against Hamas, even in areas historically seen as strongholds of the Islamist movement. These were not mere cries of hunger or frustration with destruction, but signs of a deep fracture between the leadership and the people—between those making the decisions and those paying the price.
Gaza’s Impossible Choices…
A French proverb says: “The worst kind of blind person is the one who refuses to see.” Today, the time has come to fully open our eyes and realistically assess the remaining options to escape this never-ending inferno. Gaza is bleeding, it cannot afford to wait—and its fate now wavers between two stark, and brutal, scenarios:
-A radical “Trump-style” solution, which sacrifices both Gaza and Hamas, involving the forced displacement of the Strip’s population to neighboring states. This idea was decisively rejected by Arab countries, which took a historic and courageous stand, emphasizing that preserving Gaza and its people is a non-negotiable condition for any sustainable peace in the region.
-A surreal yet realistic alternative, offering to save Gaza at the cost of ending Hamas’s rule. This could open the door to a new political settlement that stops the bloodshed and rebuilds the Strip—provided that governance and representation in Gaza are reimagined in a way that ensures lasting stability and prevents a repeat of past failures.
The hour of reckoning has come. Gaza faces a critical crossroads, the result of reckless decisions made by Hamas, which has ruled the Strip since 2007. The current equation has grown more brutal and more complex: Gaza versus Hamas. At this pivotal moment, talk of “victory” or “defeat” is no longer useful. The real question now is: who must sacrifice for the other to survive—before both are lost together?
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati