Israel’s conflicting strategy in Gaza undermines prospects for peace

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*

The Israeli and American operations targeting Iranian nuclear sites created diplomatic openings not only for a subsequent Iranian-Israeli ceasefire but also for negotiations regarding the future of Gaza. Progress in this direction might have been possible had the United States and Israel not hesitated in July this year. Both countries attributed the lack of progress to Hamas, citing insufficient coordination and bad faith.

For any negotiation process to succeed, it must engage with the demands of Hamas—still the de facto authority in Gaza—including guarantees from the United States for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, a permanent ceasefire, and sustained humanitarian aid through the UN and other agencies. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to pursue the goal of completely disarming Hamas and demands the exile of its leaders, even after the group has expressed willingness to release the remaining Israeli hostages.

Israel's confidence in its military capabilities, particularly in relation to Iran, appears to have discouraged meaningful diplomatic compromise on the Palestinian issue. This reluctance has historical roots. Following its military victory over Arab states in the 1967 war, Israel did not convert its strategic advantage into diplomatic engagement, which may have contributed to the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Currently, Prime Minister Netanyahu appears confident that peace with Arab states can be achieved after the conflict in Gaza concludes, without directly addressing Palestinian concerns. Israel remains focused on the objective of neutralizing Hamas, continuing a military campaign that has led to widespread humanitarian consequences across Gaza, the West Bank, and other Palestinian territories. While advocating for the relocation of Gaza’s civilian population to designated humanitarian areas, Israeli authorities have yet to present a plan for post-conflict reconstruction or institutional restoration.

Israeli leaders view the conflict primarily through the lens of national security rather than humanitarian concerns, and seem prepared for a prolonged presence in both Gaza and the West Bank. There is a prevailing belief within Israeli leadership that tensions with Arab nations, heightened due to the military campaign in Gaza, are temporary and can be managed through economic and technological cooperation. Israel’s demonstrated military and technological strength is seen as a potential basis for renewed collaboration.

Despite widespread public concern in the Gulf region over the ongoing conflict, no Arab country—aside from Saudi Arabia—has taken decisive action on the issue of Palestinian statehood. None have withdrawn from the Abraham Accords or existing security arrangements with Israel. From Israel’s perspective, its role in reducing Iran’s missile and nuclear threats enhances its status as a stabilizing force. However, regional developments suggest otherwise. The Iranian response to Israeli and U.S. actions, including an attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, underscores rising tensions. Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria, justified as protection for minority groups, have been perceived by Syrian authorities as contributing to regional instability.

Public sentiment in several parts of the Gulf has shifted in response to the humanitarian toll of the conflict in Gaza. Israel’s confrontations with a broad spectrum of actors—including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthi movement, Iran, Syrian factions, and Turkey—complicate prospects for peace. A sustainable resolution will likely depend on a shift toward diplomatic engagement, including a comprehensive approach to the political future of Gaza and the broader question of Palestinian statehood.

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*Senior Lecturer in Political Science, SVM Autonomous College, Jagatsinghpur, Odisha

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