Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations held a panel discussion titled “Post-War Gaza: Strategic Visions in a Global Context” on 19/2/2025, via Zoom. The discussion brought together a distinguished group of think tank directors, experts, and specialists in international relations from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, South America and Africa.
Moderated by Na’eem Jeenah, Executive Director of the Afro-Middle East Centre (AMEC) – South Africa, the panel discussion explored the complex and pressing challenges facing the Gaza Strip (GS) after the Israeli war, including reconstruction, post-war governance, the impact of Trump’s return to the presidency, and the role of major international powers.
Prof. Dr. Mohsen Mohammad Saleh, General-Manager of Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations, opened the panel discussion by welcoming the attendees. He introduced the Centre, highlighting its role in conducting political, strategic and future-oriented studies, particularly concerning the Palestine issue. Saleh emphasized the Centre’s commitment to rigorous scientific standards and objectivity, as well as its publication of leading Palestinian periodicals.
Prof. Dr. Sami Al-Arian, Director of the Center for Islamic and Global Affairs (CIGA) in Türkiye, was the first main panelist, presenting the US perspective on post-war Gaza. He analyzed US President Donald Trump’s proposal, suggesting it can be read in three different ways: first, as a serious proposal; second, as a typical move by Trump, as a real estate magnet, who makes maximalist proposals that are difficult to implement, only to negotiate a compromise that ultimately serves Israeli and US objectives by sidelining the resistance; and third, that Trump was trying to rein in Netanyahu, who was seeking a green light to resume the war, while Trump himself aimed to avoid being drawn further into the conflict, as he prioritized implementing his extensive domestic and global agenda within the next two years. Al-Arian added that the overall strategic landscape in the US has shifted since Operation al-Aqsa Flood. While there have been some tactical gains, the broader strategic losses will shape the future. Furthermore, cutting security aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) marks its end—a move that aligned with US and Israeli efforts to dismantle the two-state solution.
Dr. Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), presented Russia’s perspective on post-war Gaza, emphasizing Moscow’s opposition to US efforts to frame the Palestinian-Israeli issue as primarily an Iranian concern. He underscored that the Palestine issue cannot be resolved through shuttle diplomacy. Kortunov noted that there is skepticism in Moscow surrounding the “Deal of the Century,” and that the current Trump’s attempts to broker a deal between Israel and KSA at the expense of the Palestine issue is regarded inappropriate and not a very practical move. He stressed that one of the goals of external players in consolidating Palestinian leadership, both in GS and the West Bank (WB), is to assist Palestinians during the generational transition. This aligns with Russia’s commitment to facilitating reconciliation between Palestinian factions, which is a core aspect of its long-term foreign policy objectives.
The third speaker, Dr. Qin Tian, Deputy Director of the Institute of Middle East Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, shared China’s perspective on post-war Gaza. He warned that GS could fall back into the cycle of conflict, citing pressure from Israel’s far-right factions on the Israeli government to initiate new military operations against all of Israel’s enemies. He stated that China remains committed to supporting the two-state solution, the establishment of a Palestinian state, the unification of Palestinian factions, and providing humanitarian aid. He emphasized that while China does not seek involvement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, its Middle Eastern policy is based on maintaining balanced relations with both sides.
Furthermore, China has the economic capacity to contribute to GS’s reconstruction; however, instability and the absence of any substantial commitment of funding remain significant obstacles.
Hannes Siebert, co-director and founding member of Peace Appeal Foundation, South Africa, highlighted the humanitarian challenges facing the people of GS, particularly in the aftermath of the Israeli war. He emphasized the plight of the wounded who are evacuated for treatment only to return to dire living conditions, further exacerbating the already critical humanitarian situation.
Siebert stated that humanitarian aid to GS is being weaponized, with Israel manipulating the implementation of the ceasefire and Security Council resolutions. He emphasized that the permanent members of the Security Council must take decisive action regarding the ongoing genocidal war and adopt additional measures to ensure the enforcement of the ceasefire.
Dr. Daud Abdullah, Director of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO), emphasized that Israel remains an integral part of the EU’s super structure. He cautioned against assuming that the emerging rift between the US and the EU will lead to a more independent European foreign policy, particularly regarding Palestine and GS. He stated that there would be no fundamental changes in European policy toward GS and Palestine. Some European officials have emphasized that their position for post-war Gaza is: “no to Hamas, no to reoccupation, no reduction of territory, and no blockade.”
The final main panelist was Dr. Amr Darrag, Chairman of the Egyptian Institute for Studies in Türkiye, who examined Israel’s response to the strategic repercussions of the war on GS. He expressed skepticism about the prospects for a lasting ceasefire or any form of peace in the region, not just in GS. Darrag highlighted Trump’s proposal to remove Palestinians from GS as a tactic to push acceptance of an alternative plan, which would shift the confrontation with the resistance from Israeli forces to Arab armies. He stressed the importance of Arab countries maintaining a rational approach to prevent such a scenario, emphasizing that strong international pressure is the only viable path forward.
Shelly Culbertson, Senior Policy Researcher at RAND Corporation, provided a key commentary on the discussion, offering a brief overview of relevant RAND research and reports. Most notably, she highlighted RAND’s latest report, which presents an infrastructure plan for the WB and GS. Culbertson explained that the reconstruction plan must address humanitarian needs, assess the damage, coordinate with relevant authorities, and adopt an efficient approach to importing reconstruction materials. If these steps are not implemented effectively, the rebuilding process in the Gaza Strip could take decades.
There were significant discussions and comments from a diverse range of experts and specialists, with global participation from leading think tanks and scholars representing countries such as the US, Russia, China, Britain, Norway, South Africa, El Salvador, Malaysia, Türkiye, and various Arab and Western countries.
| The main panelist & the key commentary in the Panel Discussion: Post-War Gaza: Strategic Visions in a Global Context |
|
| Dr. Amr Darrag Chairman of the Egyptian Institute for Studies in Türkiye |
Dr. Andrey Kortunov Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) |
| Dr. Daud Abdullah Director of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) |
Dr. Qin Tian Deputy Director of the Institute of Middle East Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations |
| Hannes Siebert co-director and founding member of Peace Appeal Foundation, South Africa |
Prof. Dr. Sami Al-Arian Director of the Center for Islamic and Global Affairs (CIGA) in Türkiye |
| “key commentary on the discussion” Shelly Culbertson Senior Policy Researcher at RAND Corporation |
Full Video |
Leave A Comment