Egyptian expert critiques Israel's strategy in Gaza conflict

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas is a major topic at the Raisina Dialogue event in New Delhi. Abla Abdel-Latif, an Egyptian expert, discussed Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas and suggested that it is unrealistic. She believes this approach will only prolong the conflict. Latif emphasized that the root of the issue dates back 70 years to the occupation of Palestine, not just the attacks on October 7, 2023. She argued for a two-state solution to resolve the conflict. According to her, political reconciliation should come first and considers three main principles: the right of Palestinians to their land, the push towards a two-state solution, and the importance of not overtaking Gaza. The discussion included input from various experts, including General David Petraeus from the United States. He acknowledged that the October 7 attacks were a significant failure for Israel. However, he praised Israel's actions against groups like Hezbollah, saying they help keep the region secure. He also stressed the importance of giving Palestinians a better life without Hamas. Eden Bar Tal, Israel's Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed out that addressing radicalism is crucial, highlighting the difference between radicals and moderates. He mentioned Israel’s past efforts to provide aid to Gaza after withdrawal in 2005. Panelists also discussed Europe's role in the conflict. Rainer Rudolph from the Munich Security Conference noted that European countries have supplied humanitarian aid to Gaza. Oana Popescu Zamfir from Romania urged the European Union to engage more actively in foreign affairs. The experts agreed that the U.S. strategy toward Israel has shifted since Donald Trump returned to the presidency. General Petraeus welcomed a tougher stance on Iran, while Latif criticized U.S. policy, claiming it favors Israel too much and diminishes U.S. influence in the region. The panel highlighted the complexities of the conflict and the challenges in finding a resolution, with differing views on how to address Hamas and the ongoing violence.