Gaza war: Searching for the victor

A year has passed since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, and yet, although it is not clear who the winner is and who the loser is in this war, both Hamas and the Netanyahu government consider themselves victorious!

The conflict that began after the sudden events of October 7, 2023, has continued to destroy the lives of thousands of innocent people on both sides and has blatantly demonstrated the inability of both sides to achieve their goals, which means that there is no winner in this conflict, as both sides are drowning in heavy losses.

Since the outbreak of the war, Israel has been living in a state of constant fear and anxiety. Despite the intensive military campaign on the Gaza Strip, Israel has been unable to provide complete security for its citizens. The continuous rocket attacks by Hamas and other armed groups have put many Israeli cities on permanent alert, which has created a state of terror among the Israeli people to the point that many reports indicate that a large percentage of Israelis, up to a quarter of the population, are considering emigrating to escape the deteriorating security situation.

Israel, which considers itself victorious in this war that it is waging under the pretext of self-defense against terrorism, has lost many supporters and has been widely criticized internationally for violating international humanitarian laws. The indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, the targeting of vital infrastructure, and the mass killing of civilians have sparked global condemnation. Logic dictates that Israel cannot talk about "victory" while violating international laws and increasing its political isolation on the world stage.

On the other hand, Hamas claims that it is resisting the Israeli occupation and defending the Palestinians' right to freedom. Khaled Meshaal came out on the first anniversary of October 7 to declare victory! But the truth is that Gaza, under Hamas rule, is suffering from total destruction. Vital infrastructure has been destroyed, homes have been reduced to rubble, and hospitals are struggling to treat the huge numbers of wounded. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives in this conflict, which makes it difficult to believe that Hamas has achieved any "victory."

Hamas has failed to protect civilians in Gaza from the growing humanitarian disasters, and the continuation of the conflict has deepened internal Palestinian divisions and increased the suffering of the people who find themselves between the hammer of the occupation and the anvil of Hamas’s stubbornness and insistence on sacrificing the people and perhaps the land as well.

In light of these facts, neither side can claim victory. The war, which has lasted a whole year, did not achieve any of the declared goals, whether by Israel or Hamas. Instead of victory, the conflict has left behind total destruction and limitless suffering for civilians on both sides.

The reality on the ground is contrary to what both sides claim. There are three undeniable facts; the first is that both sides are losing and the region is in danger. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is at its worst, while the Israelis live in constant fear. The second fact is that the effects of this war will continue to haunt both sides for many years to come. The third fact is that peace in the region has become more distant than ever!