Gaza after the war: widespread destruction and complex entitlements awaiting the future
While each party claims to achieve gains, the huge human and material losses remain testimony to the high price paid by everyone, especially the residents of Gaza.
The high price… Gaza is in the heart of destruction
Gaza has witnessed widespread devastation as a result of the Israeli bombing, with UN reports indicating horrific numbers: about 47,000 Palestinians killed, most of them women and children, and more than 92% of residential buildings destroyed, including 160 homes completely. About two million Palestinians were also internally displaced, in a wave of displacement that reflects the scale of the humanitarian disaster.
The health infrastructure was not spared from destruction, as more than 50% of the Gaza Strip’s hospitals are unable to provide their services, which increases the population’s suffering.
On the other hand, Israel suffered significant human and material losses, as estimates indicated the killing of about 800 soldiers and material losses exceeding 34 billion dollars.
Internally, the Israeli government is facing growing public criticism and anger, especially with the delay in retrieving detainees.
Hamas between resistance and political entitlements
Despite the losses suffered by the Hamas movement, including the assassination of its most prominent leaders such as Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, it still sees its steadfastness against the Israeli military machine as a moral victory. According to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, “steadfastness forced Israel to retreat,” a position that reflects the Iranian axis’ support for the resistance.
But the most important question remains: What is the future of Hamas as a political actor?
The head of the Palestinian Dialogue Group, Sadiq Abu Amer, said during his speech to “Sky News Arabia”: “Hamas is not the ideal choice to manage the Gaza Strip currently, but it is still an essential part of the Palestinian internal scene.” He adds that the movement faces great challenges to reposition itself, stressing that “the current situation requires a new political discourse and greater flexibility.”
Reconstruction: responsibility or opportunity?
Reconstructing Gaza is considered the most prominent challenge in the next stage, but it is not without complications. The Palestinian issue has become more closely linked to regional security, as the advisor at the Al-Ahram Center for Political Studies, Amr Al-Shobaki, pointed out that “Gaza’s suffering cannot be compensated for by reconstruction alone, but rather requires political entitlements, such as rehabilitating the Palestinian Authority and addressing the internal division.”
International agreements: new opportunities or renewed restrictions?
The recent agreement between Israel and Hamas could not have been achieved without international intervention, but it poses new challenges. American affairs analyst Muwafaq Harb believes that “the difference in the definition of profit and loss reflects the contradiction in ideological concepts between the parties.”
While Hamas views the agreement as a moral victory, Israel sees it as nothing more than temporary security arrangements.
In the same context, the text highlights the role of the United States in drafting the agreements. While former President Donald Trump boasts of his role in achieving these understandings, current President Joe Biden indicates that it is a step towards convincing Israel of the importance of the existence of a Palestinian state as part of the regional system. But the challenge remains in translating this vision into reality.
After the war… where is Gaza headed?
The situation in Gaza indicates that the benefits are greater than just a ceasefire. The conflict between Palestinian factions, especially between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, reflects a complex reality.
The need has become urgent to unify Palestinian institutions and renew leadership, as Sadiq Abu Amer says: “Continuing division may lead to the loss of the gains that the Palestinians have achieved despite the great sacrifices.”
On the other hand, the biggest challenge remains regaining the confidence of the international community, which views the Palestinian issue from the perspective of humanitarian aid rather than a political issue. As pressure on UNRWA increases, there are questions about the future of international support for the Palestinians.
Towards a new national project
In light of the ongoing suffering and widespread destruction, hope remains pinned on building a Palestinian national project that expresses the aspirations of the Palestinian people. Al-Shoubaki asserts that “Hamas’s political experience did not achieve tangible gains for the Palestinians, which requires reformulating the Palestinian scene and offering real alternatives.” (Sky News)
