Considerations Regarding the Political Consequences of the Gaza Strip Conflict on Middle Eastern Security
Considerations Regarding the Political Consequences of the Gaza Strip Conflict on Middle Eastern Security

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the political consequences of the conflict that erupted in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, highlighting its impact on regional security in the Middle East. The conflict intensifies regional polarization, leading to the formation of rival geopolitical axes: a pro-Palestinian bloc (Iran, Syria, Iraq, Yemen) and a more moderate one open to cooperation with Israel (Egypt, the United Arab Emirates - UAE-, Saudi Arabia, Jordan). These tensions undermine regional cooperation, stall peace processes, and erode the two-state solution, fueling radicalization and weakening the legitimacy of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). At the same time, the conflict is politically instrumentalized by both state and non-state actors to gain internal or regional advantages, which perpetuates instability and hinders diplomatic efforts for resolution. The impact on foreign relations is significant: normalization processes with Israel have slowed, and regional actors are aligning strategically based on their own interests. On a global scale, the United States (US), Russia, and China are using the conflict to project their individual spheres of influence. Organizations such as the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) remain rooted in rhetoric without concrete action due to internal divergences, while the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) display a gradual disengagement from conflict resolution efforts. In this context, some regional actors - Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt - are leveraging their role as mediators to consolidate their status.

• Details
• Contents