The recent statements by Khaled Mashal, a member of Hamas’ political bureau and head of the movement’s external operations, sparked significant controversy and widespread anger. Mashal attempted to justify the unprecedented destruction in Gaza, caused by Israel’s ongoing genocidal war following Hamas’ attack on the Gaza border on October 7th last year, by claiming that this is the price of liberation and resistance. Beyond factional disputes, it’s important to analyze Mashal’s remarks to see if he is correct, or if Hamas is simply trying to evade responsibility, framing the situation as something inevitable that the Palestinian people must endure as they struggle to liberate their homeland.
In reality, discussing who is responsible for the catastrophe that has befallen the Palestinian people in Gaza could have been postponed until after the war. The immediate priority should have been ending the war, as nothing is more important than saving lives and ensuring basic living conditions. However, given the confidence and lightness with which Mashal spoke about the lives of tens of thousands of people who perished in this brutal and barbaric war, and the destruction that has wiped out every aspect of life in Gaza in a way unprecedented even in the world wars, except for the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, his statements deserve to be scrutinized.
Returning to the current political situation, some might argue that had it not been for Hamas’ attack, the Palestinian issue would not have resurfaced so strongly on the international agenda, nor would the two-state solution have been prioritized globally as a means to establish security and stability. Perhaps the war has accelerated the recognition of the State of Palestine by European countries and others, although the idea of recognition was already being considered by several European nations before the war. Additionally, the unprecedented global solidarity with Palestine—from the United States through Europe to other parts of the world—has reached an all-time high. Israel has never been in such a bad international situation, isolated and accused of war crimes, with its leaders facing the possibility of international justice and potentially being summoned before the International Criminal Court. All of this is true, and there is even more to it. However, this is happening due to the massive human and material losses suffered by the Palestinian people in this war, and the unimaginable Israeli crimes.
Many in Palestine and the Arab world believe that Israel will soon collapse. Some even predict that we will celebrate the end of the Zionist project, which is supposedly crumbling from within due to the increasing internal conflicts exacerbated by the war. They believe that Israel’s defeat will lead to its dismantling. However, this viewpoint is exaggerated and overly simplistic. Israel’s problems and divisions existed before and after the war, fluctuating depending on the composition of the ruling coalition. This does not indicate an imminent collapse of the state.
Israel still possesses the means to survive, whether by resolving its issues through legal channels or elections. Its economy remains strong and resilient for the foreseeable future. Most importantly, Israel, which was established by an international decision, still holds a significant position in Western imperial interests, and there are those ready to support and stand by it in any circumstance. As such, a complete defeat of Israel is off the table, constituting a red line for the United States and many Western countries.
What do we have now, other than massive destruction, division, and a lack of vision for the post-war future? This situation could lead to a new catastrophe, greater than that of 1948. Anyone who believes that Gaza can quickly return to its pre-war state is undoubtedly mistaken. The United Nations has stated that Gaza will need at least 20 years to recover to its previous condition. We have lost over 40,000 people, with more than 80,000 injured, a significant portion of whom are now disabled, and many may not survive due to inadequate resources and treatment. Additionally, we have lost most of Gaza’s infrastructure, which had been built over decades.
What’s worse is Hamas’s current demands. It is not asking for the liberation of Jerusalem or the West Bank but is instead seeking to restore some of what it had in Gaza: a ceasefire, withdrawal, the return of displaced persons, and Hamas’s continued presence. Essentially, Hamas wants to preserve itself, even if it means accepting a weaker position than before and conceding its rule over Gaza in exchange for some security and political role. So, has the “resistance” achieved liberation in this sense? Absolutely not!, it has led to a significant loss that will burden us for generations. If Hamas were truly responsible, it would abandon the rhetoric that has destroyed us and face reality by admitting that it embarked on an ill-considered venture that l ed to Gaza’s devastation. No one knows what will remain of Gaza or who will still be there in the coming period. It is true that Israel has not achieved its declared objectives in the war, but it has caused massive destruction, killed tens of thousands, and turned Gaza into an uninhabitable place. Israel may succeed in causing the voluntary displacement of a large number of residents when circumstances allow, which would be its most significant achievement since the Nakba. And this is without even considering the situation in the West Bank.
Author: Ashraf Ajrami