The war in Gaza that has raged now for over a year has broad regional implications far beyond Gaza. After the tragedies of October 7th, no one can argue that the defeat of Hamas was not justified. However its defeat does not in itself resolve the long standing issues in the region. As should be evident after 55 plus years, the Arab resistance, we call it terrorism, does not simply cease with the deaths of its current leaders. Others rise in their stead, often more capable and often more menacing. The problem is not the growing number of bad guys; the problem is the long, unresolved issue of Palestinian oppression and denial of Palestinian sovereignty. For the survivors of the Gaza war who have lost family members, friends, homes and businesses, what will they do? Will they finally quietly accept their fate and dismal future or will they become a fresh pool of recruits to pick up where Hamas left off. Have they anything more to lose? Have we learned anything from history? Nobody seems to ask WHY this animosity towards Israel. If we don’t deal with the WHY, the problem will continue to fester.
The Abraham Accords negotiated under the Trump administration gave little attention to the plight of the Palestinian people. Arab countries had grown tired of the matter and were convinced little could be done to resolve anything since powerful America was 100% behind Israel, politically. economically and militarily, and was willing to turn a blind eye to whatever Israel did. The Gaza war has changed all that. With over 40,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, including huge numbers of innocent women, children and non-combatants, all of whom are fellow Arabs, the Arab countries can no longer sweep the matter under the carpet. They have recently made resolution of the Palestinian debacle a condition for establishing a workable, peaceful relationship with Israel.
Something else, new and somewhat surprising, is afoot. Iran and the Arab states, once adamant foes, seem to have concluded that their best interest now is to patch up their differences and find a way to live and work together. Should they conclude that the ironclad U.S. – Israeli relationship creates a reality that can only be confronted by merging their political, military and economic capabilities, this would be a huge and unfortunate development. This initiative could likely grow to include Turkey and Egypt, two large and potentially powerful adversaries. Together these countries would constitute a 350 million block with a combined GDP (PP) of nearly $12 trillion and a standing army (excluding reserves) of well over 2 million. That would be a good thing if devoted to peace and harmony. Would it, indeed, develop for good or would this bloc turn to the open arms of our real existential foes? In peace these countries could represent both a huge market and a substantial counter-weight to our main adversaries – – China and Russia.
Once again the U.S. has a unique and historic opportunity to broker the cause of regional peace. Only America can play this role. It can only come about if we stop ignoring the root cause of this whole conflict – – – the simmering, unresolved plight of Palestinians who for many decades, through no fault of their own, have lost so much, have nowhere to go and can call no place on earth their home.
– – – – Just the view of a common man
Views of a Common Man 
You define the problem well but the solution seems harder to achieve. The people who are being harmed are not the people who caused the problem and probably can’t contribute to the solution. Lebanon is being attacked and they are defenseless to address the problem.
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