Analysts explore ongoing developments, future scenarios of Al Aqsa Flood operation

AMMAN — Israel’s failure to realise its “displacement” plans in the war on Gaza will curb its projects in the West Bank and northern Lebanon, ultimately ending the political life of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former media affairs minister Samih Maaytah said.

Maaytah’ shared his insights during a panel discussion organised by the Jordan Press Foundation (JPF) on Wednesday under the title “Al Aqsa Flood: Political Outcomes”.

Maaytah said that what distinguishes the October 7 operation is not only the surprise factor, but its “timing”, as the regional “political climate” has not been favourable for the Palestinian cause.

Maaytah said that resistance operations have not been sustainable, and the approach of the current Israeli government has disrupted negotiations and peace operations. Moreover, Netanyahu had achieved great progress in the normalisation of relations with Arab and Islamic countries, which will be disrupted. 

Maaytah also views that Israel is trying to take advantage of the operation lead by Hamas to “end the Palestinian cause” with international support through constructing its anti-terrorism narrative.

Israel plans to “end the Palestinian cause” at the expense of Egypt and Jordan through pushing the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, then moving forward with its projects in northern Lebanon. Forcing Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza has been a “failed” attempt to test the possibility of implementing this “colonial” project, Maaytah said.

He added that Western support for Israel in its war on Gaza, although strong, has been compromised due to the war crimes it is committing, including targeting hospitals and schools, as well as cutting off critical supplies to Gaza, all of which have led to major shifts in public opinion around the world.

Professor of International Studies and Conflict Resolution Hasan Al Momani also spoke during the panel discussion. 

Momani said that the current war will have unprecedented outcomes on the Middle East region and the Palestinian cause, due its military and political contexts. 

Momani added that the Jordanian policy towards the current developments in the war has focused on the deployment of “humanitarian aspects” to push for political breakthroughs, including a ceasefire. 

He also estimates that this war, regardless of its outcomes, will put an end to the political future of Netanyahu and that of the current “far-right” Israeli government.