"The Day After" in Gaza: politics, diplomacy and the role of Saudi Arabia
- The narrative of Hamas and Israel
- The role of international diplomacy
- The position of the Palestinian Authority and Israel
- The two-state solution and the role of Saudi Arabia
- Journalistic analysis of the “day after”
Gaza, after each conflict or escalation, does not end with the suspension of rockets or the cessation of attacks, or even with the halting of the war machine. What begins is what is called ‘the day after,’ a concept that reflects a crucial moment in which political, regional, and international forces mobilise to construct narratives, balance power, regulate the political rhythm, and stop the violence.
This moment is no longer a mere continuation of events but has become a strategic tool for any actor seeking to reshuffle the cards on the table.
The narrative of Hamas and Israel
For example, the Palestinian movement Hamas has highlighted the slogan ‘We are the storm, we are the day after’ as part of its narrative in this conflict. For its part, Israel maintains that on the day after, Hamas should not be a partner in governance, while the international community is trying to construct a third narrative, which is being formulated in political and decision-making circles.
Hamas, as an administrative and political force in the sector, uses the day after to assert its capacity for resistance and management of daily life, including basic services, economic activity and education, despite pressure and ongoing blockade. Israel, on the other hand, uses the “day after” to highlight its military strength and the legitimacy of its actions against the movement, while reaffirming its responsibility to protect civilians according to the government's official narrative.
The role of international diplomacy
International diplomacy plays a central role in shaping this day and framing it correctly. A clear example is the recent meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, which brought together delegations from Qatar, Turkey, the United States and the countries guaranteeing the agreement, who signed an agreement on the “day after” in Gaza.
This global meeting reflects international awareness of the importance of coordinating positions before and after any confrontation. Each country pursues its own objectives, from supporting Hamas as part of the regional balance to affirming Israel's legitimacy and its right to self-defence.
The position of the Palestinian Authority and Israel
The Palestinian issue remains crucial to any arrangement for the “day after”. There can be no resolution or peace without addressing this issue.
The Palestinian Authority, under Mahmoud Abbas, seeks to ensure its official presence in any future measures, while Israel, under Netanyahu, works to highlight its role and reduce the Authority's influence, making it complex to reach a consensus on the management of Gaza after any confrontation and requiring effective international management.
The two-state solution and the role of Saudi Arabia
Among the tools for achieving peace on the ‘day after’ is the two-state solution, presented by Arab countries in 2002 through a Saudi initiative. Without this solution, the tragedy continues and Palestinian citizens pay a high price, as evidenced today by the destruction of 90% of Gaza and the death and injury of tens of thousands, as well as the devastation of infrastructure.
In this context, the role of Saudi Arabia stands out clearly, and sometimes discreetly, in its contribution to unblocking the situation. Riyadh works on crisis management through active diplomacy, encourages respect for the truce and facilitates Arab and international dialogue, presenting itself as a guarantor of regional stability.
Saudi support, both political and media-related, helps to calm tensions and offers Palestinian and regional parties room to coordinate their positions in a less confrontational manner.
Journalistic analysis of the “day after”
From an analytical and journalistic perspective, the “day after” in Gaza is a test of the actors' ability to manage the crisis, balance political and media influences, and assess the effectiveness of regional and international diplomacy.
It is the day when narratives are put to the test: who will construct them? Who will use them for their political interests? And what will be the Arab role, especially that of Saudi Arabia, in delineating the lines of future stability?
Finally, the ‘day after’ in Gaza is not just any day after the confrontation, but a platform for conflict over power, narrative and regional influence.
It is a crucial moment that determines the extent to which Arab and international diplomacy, particularly the United States with its influence over Israel, can force Hamas and Israel to reshuffle their cards and embrace the two-state solution, so that Palestinians can live in peace.
However, the current reality shows that the inhabitants of Gaza live between the hope for peace and the persistent reality of the blockade.