Gaza remains on the edge

Reshaping regional dynamics

Gokhan Batu, an analyst on Israel studies at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkiye, told China Daily that Israel's recognition of Somaliland, in the Horn of Africa, "should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as part of a broader effort to reshape regional dynamics in line with Israel's security priorities".

"Israeli strategic thinking increasingly reflects a sense of encirclement and a belief that traditional diplomatic gains — such as those pursued through the Abraham Accords (which established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab states) — are no longer sufficient. As a result, Israel has combined military assertiveness in its immediate neighborhood with diplomatic activism in the periphery," said Batu.

Al-Dwaik of the ICHR said Israelis think that they "can solve any problem by force".

"And if they can't solve it by force, they need more force. And we see that happening in Lebanon, in Syria, in Gaza. I don't see a discourse in Israel about peace or about recognizing the right of Palestinians, not only through self-determination. But even to dignity and even more basic human rights," said Al-Dwaik.

Beilin, the former Israeli government official, stressed that the two-state solution is the only solution for Israel.

"What you have to do, really is to help us get to a peaceful solution. To invite the parties, to invite the nongovernmental organizations on both sides and to see what can be done," said Beilin. He proposed the establishment of a Confederation of Palestine and Israel.

Al-Dwaik said the military approach of Israel is unsustainable.

"You cannot keep fighting all your neighbors and killing forever with also your limited number of population. The number of Israelis is not very high so they cannot sustain their number of military operations. They need, at some point, to find a way to coexist with their neighbors — the Arabs and Muslims in the region," said Al-Dwaik.