Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes Crisis and control in Gaza and the West Bank
Jul 18, 2025
Hugh Lovatt, an ECFR policy fellow specializing in Middle Eastern politics, and Tahani Mustafa, a visiting fellow focused on governance and security in the West Bank, dive deep into the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. They discuss Israel's military actions, the humanitarian catastrophe, and the chaotic aid distribution. Tensions are rising, particularly with the role of Israeli settlers in the West Bank. They also evaluate the Palestinian Authority’s challenges and the crucial role that Europe plays in mediating peace efforts and preventing further loss of life.
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Expanded Israeli Goals in Gaza
- Israeli goals have escalated from defeating Hamas to displacing Gaza's population and destroying large areas.
- The humanitarian situation is dire, and ceasefire talks are challenging amid expansive Israeli aims.
Coalition Tensions Impact Gaza Policy
- Netanyahu's coalition is fragile due to disputes over ultra-Orthodox enlistment in the IDF.
- This internal coalition tension heavily influences his decisions about the Gaza conflict.
Israeli Public Supports Hostages Then War
- Most Israelis support a ceasefire now mainly to release hostages but want to destroy Hamas eventually.
- There is broad consensus on aggressive policy against Hamas after any ceasefire period.
