The Hamas-Israel War and Regional Security in MENA

1 of 9

Robert Daly

Director, Kissinger Institute on China and the United States

China condemned terrorism unequivocally—until Hamas attacked Israel. Then, not only did China’s Party media make no mention of Hamas or the October 7 slaughter, it pivoted immediately to condemnation of Israel and the United States.

2 of 9

Yair Hirschfeld

Former Public Policy Scholar;
Senior Lecturer, Department of Middle Eastern History, University of Haifa, Israel.

It is essential to plan for the necessary peace building the "day after." Detailed plans are being prepared even now.

3 of 9

Raphael Cohen-Almagor

Global Fellow;
Chair and Professor in Politics, University of Hull, The United Kingdom

There is little doubt in my mind that Iran knew about and supported the attack. Iran has been a supporter of Hamas since its establishment.

4 of 9

David Ottaway

Middle East Fellow;
Former Washington Post Middle East Correspondent

In this atmosphere, it becomes extremely risky for Saudi Arabia to embrace Israel, even for its headstrong crown prince Mohammed bin Salman who, until the Hamas incursion, was showing every sign of moving toward striking a deal with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

5 of 9

Marina Ottaway

Middle East Fellow;
Former Senior Research Associate and Head of the Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The revulsion generated by Hamas’ attacks on Israeli settlements near Gaza should not distract attention from the fact that the crisis is the ultimate outcome of political failure.

6 of 9

Joe Macaron

Global Fellow

However, while Hezbollah and Israel have been pushing the envelope on the border, they have not stepped beyond the rules of engagement set since the conclusion of the July 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

7 of 9

Yusuf Can

Program Coordinator, Middle East Program

In the aftermath of Hamas' attack, the digital landscape became the epicenter of a disinformation pandemic. One of the most deceptive forms of disinformation is manipulated video content.

8 of 9

Haleh Esfandiari

Distinguished Fellow; Director Emerita, Middle East Program 

It is essential that these diplomatic efforts succeed. After the slaughter of Israelis by Hamas’ infiltrators, it seems a major Israeli offensive in Gaza is unavoidable, but diplomacy may avert the catastrophe looming for Gaza’s inhabitants.

9 of 9

Marwa Daoudy, PhD

Fellow;
Associate Professor of International Relations and Seif Ghobash Chair in Arab Studies, Georgetown University

It was wishful thinking to believe in a durable peace based on the Abraham Accords while maintaining the “world’s largest open-air prison” and ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.