Islamabad:The Gaza conflict has produced consequences extending far beyond the battlefield, affecting the credibility of international institutions, regional security dynamics, global public opinion and perceptions of the existing world order. It has exposed contradictions in the application of international law, challenged established geopolitical alignments and triggered a wider reassessment of the international system, with far-reaching implications for Palestine, Pakistan, the Muslim world and global politics.
Experts observed this at a seminar, titled 'Beyond the Battlefield: What Has Gaza Changed?', organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. The speakers included Dr. Khuram Iqbal, associate professor, NIISS, QAU; Brig. (retd) Said Nazir, defense and security analyst; Dr. Salma Malik, associate professor, DSS, QAU; and Dr. Zarni, human rights activist. Khalid Rahman, Chairman, IPS, chaired the session, which also featured Ambassador (retd) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice chairman, IPS.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador (retd) Abrar Hussain said the consequences of the Gaza conflict could not be confined to the geographical boundaries of that particular territory. He identified three major areas of change: the weakening credibility of international law and institutions, shifts in regional and global geopolitical dynamics, and the renewed centrality of the Palestine question. He observed that selective application of international law has generated growing distrust, particularly in the Global South.
Building on this, Dr. Khuram Iqbal identified three major developments emerging from the Gaza conflict. First, he argued that longstanding bipartisan political support for Israel in Western capitals, particularly in the US, has come under significant pressure from changing public opinion. Second, he discussed the conflict's regional consequences, noting that the process associated with the Abraham Accords has been disrupted and that new interactions among West Asian and South Asian security dynamics were emerging. Third, he highlighted the implications of closer Israel-India relations for Pakistan, particularly amid evolving regional security alignments.
Brig. (retd) Said Nazir examined Gaza from humanitarian, military, regional and international perspectives. He discussed the destruction of Gaza, the political and security challenges surrounding reconstruction, Palestinian political divisions and the continuing uncertainty surrounding the peace process. He argued that the conflict hasshatteredperceptions of Israel's military invincibility and highlighted the limitations of military power when not supported by political and diplomatic objectives. At the regional level, he discussed the changing deterrence dynamics, energy security, and the importance of strategic chokepoints and regional security arrangements.
Dr. Salma Malik focused on the Gaza conflict's implications for the rules-based international order. She argued that the crisis has exposed the selective application of international law and raised questions about the credibility of global institutions. She described the conflict as a broader test of the international system and stressed that repeated violations of ceasefires and humanitarian norms has demonstrated the inadequacy of existing mechanisms. She also discussed the implications of the Gaza conflict for Pakistan, particularly in relation to governance, social cohesion and its diplomatic role in international forums.
Joining online, Dr. Zarni argued that Gaza has generated a wider reassessment of the international political order. He maintained that the conflict has exposed contradictions in the application of international law and highlighted the growing role of civil society in shaping global perceptions of Palestine. He further argued that the Gaza experience has challenged established perceptions of Israel's military and political image and has generated greater awareness of the continuing influence of colonial legacies in contemporary international relations.
In his concluding remarks, Khalid Rahman stressed that complex international problems could not be resolved through shortcuts and required sustained, step-by-step efforts. He observed that the Gaza conflict was connected to broader transformations in the global system, urging that contemporary developments should be viewed within their wider historical and international context. He emphasized the interconnected nature of regional and global challenges and the need for long-term thinking rather than quick solutions.