Israel ‘dictates’ pace of all activity in Gaza: Analysis

Key Concepts

• Gaza Reconstruction: The complex process of rebuilding Gaza following conflict, heavily influenced by Israeli control and political considerations.
• Israeli Control & Influence: Israel’s ability to dictate the terms of reconstruction, including material access, financial flows, and population displacement.
• Palestinian Internal Divisions: The relationship between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the need for cooperation in reconstruction efforts.
• Demilitarization of Hamas: The evolving goals regarding Hamas’s weaponry, shifting from total demilitarization to limiting its capacity to threaten Israel.
• Neighborhood-Based Reconstruction: A proposed approach focusing on localized rebuilding efforts, prioritizing social cohesion and psychological needs.
• Right of Return: The critical importance for Palestinian refugees of rebuilding on their original land, viewed as a step towards eventual return to their ancestral homes.

Reconstruction Challenges & Israeli Influence

The discussion centers on the immense challenges facing Gaza’s reconstruction, occurring amidst ongoing Israeli attacks (10 Palestinians killed on Thursday, homes destroyed). Professor Barakat emphasizes that Israel holds significant control over the entire process, extending far beyond what was initially anticipated. The exchange of prisoners and retrieval of bodies has already taken nearly three months, highlighting the deliberate pace imposed by Israel. He states, “The whole plan has left Israel in a position where they can control and dictate the base for for everything.”

Israel is expected to prolong reconstruction, controlling access to materials, expertise, and finances. Currently, there’s no comprehensive reconstruction budget, only discussions of annual allocations contingent on Israeli facilitation. A key Israeli objective is to shift the demographic center of the Palestinian population southward, towards Rafah and the Egyptian border, while hindering progress in northern Gaza.

The Technocratic Committee & Internal Palestinian Dynamics

The formation of a 15-member technocratic committee, led by a former Palestinian administration civil servant originally from Gaza, is viewed as a positive step. Crucially, Hamas’s approval of the committee head signifies a bridging of differences with the Palestinian Authority (PA). Barakat notes this is “an important progress…because the head of this committee is a former senior uh civil servant from the Palestinian administration, although he originally comes from Gaza, but he worked with the Palestinian administration. The fact that Hamas have approved him means that they've somehow papered over some of their differences with the PA.”

However, the committee’s success hinges on pressure from the United States and the 24 nations supporting the ceasefire agreement to compel Israel to facilitate progress.

Land Reclamation & the Right of Return

The idea of using rubble to reclaim land for Gaza is debated. While seemingly attractive for investment, it poses a risk of displacing the Gazan population, with investors focusing on seafront properties. Barakat warns, “when you create new land, this is where the investment is going to run…the investors are willing to work in virgin land and they will be taking over the seafront of Gaza.”

He stresses the paramount importance of allowing Palestinians to rebuild on their original land, even for refugees from 1948-1967, viewing it as a crucial step towards their ultimate right of return. Israel, however, aims to present reconstruction as a permanent relocation, effectively extinguishing the right of return.

Reconstruction Approach: Neighborhood Focus & Social Fabric

Barakat advocates for a neighborhood-based reconstruction approach, prioritizing equity and addressing the social-psychological needs of survivors. He emphasizes the importance of engaging residents directly in the planning and rebuilding of their communities, leveraging existing social bonds and solidarity. “I think the neighborhood approach is really really important because of the identity because of the solidarity amongst themselves.” He believes Israel actively seeks to destroy this social fabric by deliberately mixing populations. Restoring a sense of belonging is seen as essential for enabling Palestinians to move forward.

The Evolving Demilitarization of Hamas

The concept of total demilitarization of Hamas is considered unrealistic due to the lack of an international security force to assume control of Gaza. The current focus has shifted to preventing Hamas from posing a direct threat to Israel, specifically by removing heavy weaponry and missiles. However, Israel recognizes the need to rely on Hamas to maintain day-to-day security within Gaza. This pragmatic shift is reflected in the approval of the reconstruction committee by Hamas. Barakat explains, “total demilitarization is now out of the uh window…they’re now talking about taking away from Hamas the possibility to threaten Israel…But they can't but rely on Hamas to keep the peace on day-to-day basis within the the Gaza Strip.”

Conclusion

The reconstruction of Gaza is a deeply politicized process, heavily constrained by Israeli control and strategic objectives. While the formation of a technocratic committee represents a positive step, its success depends on international pressure on Israel and a commitment to prioritizing the needs and rights of the Palestinian population. A neighborhood-based approach, focused on social cohesion and the right of return, is crucial for fostering a sustainable and equitable recovery, despite Israel’s efforts to undermine the social fabric of Palestinian society. The evolving approach to Hamas’s demilitarization reflects a pragmatic recognition of the group’s continued role in maintaining security within Gaza.