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"Gaza Is Starving, Militias Are Rising—And Israel May Be Losing the World: Is This the Turning Point?"

As starvation claims lives in Gaza and Israel arms tribal militias, global pressure mounts—and long-standing alliances begin to crack.

By Moh HusseinPublished 6 months ago 3 min read

U.S. Envoy’s Visit and Proposed Peace Plan

On August 2, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told Israeli hostage families that he’s coordinating with Israel—including Prime Minister Netanyahu—on a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza war and rebuild the territory.

His statements followed a visit to Gaza aid delivery sites, accompanied by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

▪️ Rising Humanitarian Crisis

Since May, over 1,370 Palestinians have died while awaiting humanitarian aid, many of them children. Six additional deaths due to starvation were reported in the last 24 hours.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israeli forces of committing war crimes by deliberately starving civilians and targeting those seeking aid.

▪️ Internal Legal and Social Backlash

Leading Israeli NGOs, including B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, have labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide," intensifying domestic debate and global pressure on Netanyahu’s administration.

▪️ Western Diplomatic Mobilization

On July 29, a coalition of Western foreign ministers issued the "New York Call," demanding an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and renewed commitment to a two-state solution.

France, the UK, and Canada are reportedly considering formal recognition of a Palestinian state—a move that would mark a historic diplomatic shift.

▪️ Shifting Arab Regional Positions

For the first time, all 22 Arab League nations—alongside 17 other countries and the European Union—jointly condemned Hamas and called for its disarmament.

This indicates a significant regional pivot away from extremism and signals conditional openness to normalization with Israel, tied to progress on Palestinian statehood.

▪️ Israeli Strategy: Supporting Tribal Militias

Israel is arming local tribal militias in Gaza—particularly Yasser Abu Shabab’s “Popular Forces” in southeastern Gaza—as part of its strategy to weaken Hamas.

Critics warn that this move risks creating long-term chaos and fragmentation, similar to failed proxy experiments in past conflicts.

🧠 Strategic Analysis

U.S. Leverage vs. Credibility

While the Trump-aligned envoy aims to present a new roadmap, continued alignment with Israeli policies—without concrete steps toward ending the war or ensuring Palestinian sovereignty—may compromise the legitimacy of U.S. efforts.

A Humanitarian and Legal Flashpoint

The growing death toll and “genocide” accusations by respected human rights organizations have severely impacted Israel’s global image—even among close allies.

International legal forums may face mounting calls to investigate or act if these accusations continue to escalate.

Arab States' Balancing Act

Arab League members’ rejection of Hamas marks a strategic recalibration, potentially allowing space for normalization with Israel.

However, normalization remains largely contingent upon meaningful progress toward a viable Palestinian state.

Risks of Proxy Governance

Israel’s support for tribal militias could deliver short-term tactical benefits but may severely undermine unified Palestinian political authority and future state-building efforts.

Symbolic Recognition vs. Substantive Action

Western nations signaling possible recognition of a Palestinian state reflects growing impatience with the status quo.

Yet, without practical measures—such as sanctions, international monitoring, or coordinated peace enforcement—such gestures may remain symbolic.

🔭 What to Watch Next

* The outcome of Witkoff’s proposed roadmap and its reception by both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.

* Formal recognition of a Palestinian state by countries like France or Canada.

* Legal responses within Israel to mounting human rights accusations.

* Shifts in Arab-Israeli normalization talks amid changing attitudes toward Hamas.

* The sustainability and legitimacy of tribal militias as a governance alternative in Gaza.

📍Author’s Note:

This report reflects ongoing developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict as of early August 2025. The situation is highly dynamic and evolving by the day. Further updates will follow based on verified international and local sources.

tags

Israel

Gaza

Palestine

Middle East

War Crimes

Human Rights

Starvation Crisis

US Foreign Policy

International Relations

Two-State Solution

Arab-Israeli Conflict

Netanyahu

Hamas

Genocide Accusations

Tribal Militias

Global Diplomacy

Western Politics

Humanitarian Crisi

congressopinionpoliticianspoliticswhite house

About the Creator

Moh Hussein

Mohamed Hussein is an writer exploring the intersection of technology, culture, and identity in the Middle East, telling the human stories behind how digital systems shape a new generation.

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