By : Dr. Haytham Ereifej
Jordan Daily – More than fourteen months have passed since the relentless aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza began. Despite the massive destruction of infrastructure and daily life, and the heavy toll in lives lost, injured, and detained, anyone who believes that this war has reached its final chapter is gravely mistaken.
The conflict has not ended- not in the mind of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not in the strategies of his military commanders, nor on the ground. In reality, it continues in a manner that may appear subdued at times, but is, in fact, laying the groundwork for a much fiercer and more violent confrontation, bolstered by unprecedented political, financial, and military support from the current U.S. administration.
What we have witnessed so far is merely a prelude to a broader, more comprehensive plan, carefully woven and methodically executed. This scheme aims not only to subdue Gaza or weaken it but to reshape the demographic and political landscape of historic Palestine itself- displacing its original inhabitants and replacing them with populations brought from other regions.
This new colonial project is not limited to Gaza or the West Bank; it extends to restructuring the entire region. Economic and security bridges are being built between Israel and other states, with the goal of reshaping political alliances to ensure the continuation of Israeli dominance.
In this context, the term “anti-Semitism” has been weaponized as a political tool, deployed aggressively to silence any criticism of Israel’s violations of international law or attempts to hold its leaders accountable for war crimes. The term, which has been distorted for political ends, is being used as a shield to protect Israel from international scrutiny and to stifle any efforts to expose the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people.
The ongoing, suffocating blockade of Gaza and the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon to starve and pressure civilians are clear indicators that the real war has yet to begin. This form of collective punishment, in blatant violation of the most basic principles of international humanitarian law, reveals the occupation’s intent to prolong suffering and weaken any capacity for resilience or resistance. It is part of a systematic strategy designed to subjugate the Palestinian people and force them to accept a new reality imposed by the barrel of a gun.
In the West Bank, the contours of this plan are even more evident. The accelerated pace of settlement construction, arbitrary arrests, and direct military operations indicate that we are on the brink of a new war, no less perilous than the one unfolding in Gaza. This war seeks not only to suppress Palestinians but to impose new facts on the ground, making any fair political solution based on the restoration of Palestinian rights an impossible reality.
What emboldens this aggressive approach is the unwavering support from the United States, which has manifested most clearly in the recent decisions of the Trump administration. The release of massive financial aid, totaling four billion dollars, to support the occupation is not just an economic lifeline but a clear political message- America will continue to provide cover for every crime and violation Israel commits against the Palestinians. This American support is not new, but in this current phase, it has taken on a far more dangerous dimension, serving a broader expansionist agenda that threatens not only the Palestinian cause but the stability of the entire region.
What we are witnessing today is the preparation for a larger confrontation, a decisive battle whose full scope has yet to be revealed. The Zionist project, backed by regional and international actors, is moving to reshape the region according to its vision, exploiting Arab disunity and international weakness in confronting its crimes.
In this context, Arab states and the international community are called upon to take urgent and effective action to counter these policies, which threaten not just the Palestinian cause, but the future of the region as a whole.
International silence in the face of these events will only exacerbate the crisis and increase the likelihood of an uncontrollable escalation. The time has come to confront these policies with resolve and to support the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom and justice, before the next war becomes a humanitarian catastrophe beyond repair.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Jordan Daily.
