Is civil society the missing piece in post-Gaza diplomacy?

A fragile diplomatic achievement

The recent success in securing UN Security Council approval for an international stabilisation force in Gaza briefly lifted hopes for peace. Yet optimism faded quickly as political mistrust, regional tension, and humanitarian collapse undermined the moment. The fragile balance between security needs and human rights remains unresolved.

The limits of government diplomacy

Despite months of high-level negotiations involving the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and the European Union, progress toward a sustainable political framework has stalled. Diplomats remain entangled in managing ceasefires and reconstruction logistics rather than addressing deeper grievances that fuel the conflict.

“You cannot rebuild Gaza without rebuilding trust,” remarked one European envoy involved in the talks.

Governments are viewed as too constrained by geopolitical interests to address community-level suffering or promote reconciliation.

Civil society’s untapped potential

Civil society organizations — both local NGOs and international humanitarian groups — could occupy the space where formal diplomacy fails. They can provide bottom-up legitimacy, rebuild social cohesion, and ensure aid reaches communities most in need. Such involvement could complement, not compete with, official diplomatic tracks.

Examples include grassroots dialogue initiatives, psychological support networks, and education programs that connect divided communities. These efforts shape a more inclusive peace narrative that state actors alone cannot achieve.

A new diplomatic approach

To secure a lasting peace, post-Gaza diplomacy must incorporate civil actors as trusted partners, not mere stakeholders. Involving local voices and regional civil networks could bridge the credibility gap between foreign-led negotiations and the lived realities of people in Gaza and Israel.

As one analyst observed, “Without civil society, diplomacy stays on paper — not in people’s lives.”

Author’s summary: Civil society may offer the missing trust and legitimacy that formal diplomacy alone cannot sustain in post-Gaza reconstruction and peacebuilding.

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Euractiv Euractiv — 2025-12-02

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