The Day After: Diplomats and Policymakers Plan for Post-War Gaza
As the conflict in Gaza rages on, diplomats and policymakers are already looking ahead to what happens ‘the day after’ the fighting stops. While the intensity of the conflict and the lack of hope may seem daunting, there is a growing focus on what could and should happen once the guns fall silent.
EU foreign ministers are set to discuss this very topic in Brussels on Monday, meeting with counterparts from Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the secretary-general of the Arab League. Conversations and plans are also underway across the Middle East and among Western countries, with many recognizing the urgency of finding a solution before the US election in November.
For European nations like Norway, Spain, and Ireland, who are set to formally recognize the state of Palestine this week, the focus is on reviving discussions about a two-state solution. This move is seen as a crucial step towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages, with Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasizing that the only pathway to peace is political.
Meanwhile, British ministers are working on ways to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) in governing post-war Gaza. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has been pushing Israel to release withheld funds to the PA, stressing the need for a partner other than Hamas to work with in the region.
Within Israel, voices like Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and war cabinet member Benny Gantz are calling for a clear post-war plan, with Gallant advocating for Palestinian entities to take control of Gaza with international support. Gantz has even threatened to resign unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to a comprehensive six-point plan by early June.
As discussions and plans for the ‘day after’ continue to unfold, the hope remains that a lasting solution can be found to bring peace and stability to the region.
