Since the dawn of terror until today, Israelis have demonstrated the determination and resilience that sets them apart. From the Declaration of Independence until now, the Israel Defense Forces has grown stronger, Israel's economic situation has improved, and its diplomatic status has been enhanced. However, there is still no solution to the conflict with the Palestinians.
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The prolonged stalemate has led to a sense of "no solution," a kind of political impasse. In the absence of an agreed-upon solution, the remaining path is to encourage and foster the emergence of a reality that will lead to a resolution requiring great patience. Ironically, the Gaza conflict may contain a possible pathway – the creation of a "Gaza State" reality.
The lessons learned from the military operations imposed on us repeatedly in the Gaza Strip teach us several things: The behavior of the Israeli population with its Iron Dome missile defense system and the clear advantage the Air Force holds in this arena ensure an advantage in every round of fighting; Hamas has become more cautious over time, even when it has to deal with a rebellion from organizations that do not comply - although ultimately perceived as the ruling power in the coastal strip, Hamas chose to avoid direct engagement in Operation Shield and Arrow as a clear demonstration; the pressure from Gaza residents for a normal life increases, and every time they suffer under the force of the IDF, they attribute responsibility to Hamas; as time goes by, not only do Gaza residents see themselves as living in a state, but so does the Hamas leadership and all the political actors in the region; no one is suggesting that Israel should seek control over the Gaza Strip.
History shows that only a small step separates the current situation in the Gaza Strip from turning it into a state. Gaza covers only 362 square kilometers and is home to two million residents. The birth rate is particularly high. True, in such density conditions, it is difficult and unrealistic to establish a thriving state. On the other hand, there are several factors that strengthen the possibility of establishing a state. The strip is open to the sea, and its territory can be expanded by reclaiming land from the sea. On reclaimed land, an airport could be built, whose traffic would not interfere with the flight paths to and from Israel. A seaport established on the coastal areas of the Strip would serve as a trade route to Sinai and the Red Sea.
However, to expedite the process of establishing a state in the Gaza Strip, geographic conditions alone are not enough. Political motivation is also necessary and, in this regard, Egypt is a central player. The conflicts between Israel and Hamas expose Egypt to risks. It is reasonable to assume that under pressure and in the hope of tranquility, Egypt might consider expanding Gaza's territory at the expense of Sinai, an expansion that could reach the outskirts of the city of El-Arish.
Expanding on the vision of a state in Gaza, between El-Arish and Port Said lies a beautiful coastal area on Lake Bardawil, which could serve as an ideal infrastructure for the establishment of a global project, such as a financial center, free trade zone, and leisure activities similar to Dubai or Macau. Such a center, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and closer to the Western world, would create hundreds of thousands of job opportunities, a source of livelihood for Egyptians and Gazans, and generate income for the Egyptian government.
However, a project of such magnitude will indeed require the support of governments that are motivated and have a vision for a better economic and political future in the Middle East. Additionally, it may also require financial assistance from global stakeholders whose motivation would be primarily business-oriented, and possibly philanthropic as well. This is a distant vision, and its realization is uncertain. However, its advantage lies in creating a reality without the need for an agreement, and it holds within it a glimmer of hope that may inspire new thinking in the region.
Eitan Ben Eliyahu was the chief of the Israeli Air Force.
First published: 23:45, 06.01.23