Fate of Gaza Strip Eclipsed by Middle East War

The devastated Gaza Strip appears to be an afterthought in the ongoing Middle East peace negotiations between the United States and Iran. Palestinians feel abandoned as the global focus shifts to the US-Iran dialogue, with Gaza's future seemingly excluded from the preliminary peace terms. "Ever since the United States went to war with Iran, the whole world has forgotten Gaza and its tragedy. We no longer have anyone standing by us," said Ahmed Jamali, a 53-year-old Palestinian from a displacement camp in Gaza. He expressed deep frustration, stating, "We are weak and oppressed, and Israel is doing whatever it wants: killing, destroying and occupying Gaza, while no one in the world lifts a finger." This perceived neglect is particularly striking given Gaza's central role in the chain of events that led to the region's most dangerous confrontation in decades. Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, ignited a devastating Israeli military response in Gaza. This conflict drew in Tehran-backed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Yemen's Houthis, ultimately escalating into a direct confrontation between Iran and the United States. Despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025, efforts to achieve a lasting end to the war have stalled for months. The preliminary peace text endorsed by Tehran and Washington last month notably omits any mention of Gaza, a detail analysts interpret as a significant shift in regional priorities. Hugh Lovatt of the European Council on Foreign Relations told AFP that this reflects "Hamas's declining strategic value in Iran's eyes." While Iran has long supported Hamas as part of its "axis of resistance" against Israel and the US, the 2023 attack appears to have altered this relationship fundamentally. Israeli military expert Eado Hecht commented, "Iranians do not really care about Gaza. Hamas was an ally, not an Iranian tool. It betrayed them. They did not want war in autumn 2023, it was too early for them." Another Israeli military analyst, Michael Milshtein, suggests Tehran's strategic calculations have shifted, prioritizing "preserving Hezbollah as a pillar of the regional balance."

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Ever since the United States went to war with Iran, the whole world has forgotten Gaza and its tragedy. We no longer have anyone standing by us.