Anticipated Events and Potential Outcomes for the Palestinian Population in the Upcoming Year.

A Rough Road Ahead for Palestinian Statehood in 2022

The latest report from Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations paints a grim picture for Palestinian self-determination in 2022. Despite minor improvements in the internal Palestinian situation over the past two years, hopes for reconciliation and political cohesion have largely evaporated.

The report highlights the ongoing crisis of the Palestinian national project, characterized by recurring conflict between key Palestinian factions over agreements, resistance, and the lack of a national program that can control the situation. Institutions under the Palestinian Authority remain in a state of deterioration, with no hope for fair and transparent elections in sight.

The Palestinian leadership has suffered a massive blow to its credibility, as the continuous administration by the same tactical framework appears unlikely to result in a real reorganization of Palestinian affairs. In response, there is growing popular pressure for an interim Palestinian leadership or the selection of a neutral party to oversee necessary rearrangements.

This dynamic could pave the way for a Palestinian national front or alignment that supports resistance, primarily consisting of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). With the ability to expand its base, this potential front could bring about positive change if it can maintain cohesion, retaining its moral compass and effectively managing its capabilities.

Meanwhile, Israeli politics faces instability, characterized by frequent elections, ideological disagreements, and ongoing conflict over the role of Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite the formation of a new coalition government, opposition to Netanyahu remains a unifying factor among its diverse constituents.

Economically and technologically, Israel thrives, but it has yet to overcome the Palestinian resistance to its military occupation. The Arab world continues to reject the occupation state, with popular rejection of normalization remaining strong.

Despite regional instability, Arab regimes may hesitate to continue pursuing normalization with Israel, as they determine the costs of normalization outweigh the benefits. Egypt's proposed $53 billion, five-year reconstruction plan for Gaza offers short-term relief but risks further entrenching Israeli control if it does not address core political issues.

Ultimately, the Palestinian national project remains weakened by internal fragmentation, leadership crises, and external constraints. Without significant progress in internal governance, Palestinian statehood remains precarious, while efforts at reconstruction risk perpetuating the status quo.

Additional Insights:- Egyptian Reconstruction Plan: Endorsed by the Arab League in March 2025, Egypt's proposed $53 billion, five-year reconstruction plan for Gaza aims to rebuild housing, infrastructure, and industrial zones under a transitional technocratic administration. Critics warn the plan risks repeating past failures like the Oslo Accords by deferring core issues (e.g., borders, refugees) and entrenching Israeli control through technocratic governance.- RAND Spatial Planning: RAND Corporation's proposed spatial planning initiatives for the West Bank emphasize improving resource management and infrastructure, but lack political traction amid ongoing occupation.- Hamas Leadership: Key Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif were killed in Israeli operations, weakening the group's governance capacity in Gaza. However, no unified leadership has emerged to replace Hamas or reconcile with Fatah.- ICC Arrest Warrants: The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and Hamas figures (now deceased) in 2024, intensifying calls for accountability. however, tangible political progress remains elusive.- Two-State Solution: The Knesset formally rejected Palestinian statehood in July 2024, while Egypt’s plan nominally retains the two-state framework but avoids addressing settlements or Jerusalem. Regional actors like Egypt and the Arab League now focus on stabilizing Gaza rather than resolving core political disputes.- Pro-Palestinian Activism: Pro-Palestinian activism globally has surged, but domestically, Palestinians face fragmentation between Gaza, the West Bank, and diaspora communities, with no unified strategy for self-determination.

The United Nations, aware of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, may need to intervene to facilitate political cohesion within the Palestinian leadership.
The Palestinian national project, as detailed in the latest report, requires a new approach to address the lack of a national program and recurring conflict between factions.
The general news in 2022 is filled with reports of the deteriorating conditions of institutions under the Palestinian Authority, with no scheduled elections in sight.
The prime minister of Palestine is under intense pressure to reform the current tactics and establish a more effective administration to restore credibility.
Among the proposed solutions is an interim Palestinian leadership or a neutral party to oversee rearrangements in the Palestinian affairs.
In the Middle East, the formation of a Palestinian national front, which could consist of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), is being considered as a potential change for the better.
However, this potential front must maintain cohesion to retain its moral compass and manage its capabilities effectively.
In Israel, politics continues to be unstable due to frequent elections, ideological disagreements, and the ongoing conflict over the role of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite forming a new coalition government, Israel is still grappling with the Palestinian resistance to its military occupation.
The Arab world, including countries like Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, and others, continues to reject the occupation state, with strong popular rejection of normalization remaining prominent.
Egypt's proposed $53 billion, five-year reconstruction plan for Gaza may offer short-term relief, but it risks further entrenching Israeli control if it does not address core political issues.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and Hamas figures in 2024, intensifying calls for accountability, but tangible political progress remains elusive.
Pro-Palestinian activism globally is surging, but internally, Palestinians face fragmentation between Gaza, the West Bank, and diaspora communities, with no unified strategy for self-determination.
NGOs operating in war-and-conflicts zones such as the Middle East could play a crucial role in promoting dialogue, supporting reconstruction efforts, and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.