The Gaza Crisis and U.S. Diplomacy: Navigating Regional Distrust and Emerging Competitors
Author: MariaClara DeAguiarSampaio
Editor: Jigyasa Prabhakar
Starting in October 2023, the Gaza strip has been overtaken by one of the most violent and prolonged conflicts between Israel and Hamas in recent history. This major conflict was initiated by a Hamas-led surprise attack on southern Israel and has since led to tens of thousands of casualties, widespread destruction, and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Historically, the United States has played an important role in mediating ceasefires as well as brokering diplomatic efforts between Israel and Palestine, taking advantage of its strong alliance with Israel and influence over other allies in the region like Egypt and Qatar. However, while the U.S. continues to play a central diplomatic role in the conflict, its efforts are being increasingly limited by doubt and mistrust among many Palestinians as well as other Arab states regarding the possibility of the United States being biased, and the rise of new mediators seeking a larger diplomatic role, raising important questions about the future of U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East.
In this round of negotiations, the Biden administration initiated a 60-day ceasefire plan to gradually de-escalate the situation beginning with the release of Israeli hostages and temporary Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. In terms of communication during these negotiations, the U.S. has depended on mediators like Qatar and Egypt who both maintain dialogue with Hamas leadership to communicate indirectly with Hamas. In January 2025, this diplomatic effort reached a breakthrough when Qatar presented a final ceasefire draft proposal to both Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Doha, showing progress through international diplomacy. Yet, despite these diplomatic efforts, the United States’ ability to manipulate the terms and outcomes of the ceasefire remains limited due to bigger political challenges in the region.
A large strength of U.S. diplomacy is their influence through allies. Their strong alliances with regional powers such as Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, gives them unique leverage in the region and betters its ability to broker negotiations. However, the country’s unwavering support for Israel continues to incite perceptions of bias among the region, especially among Palestinians which causes mistrust and doubt, limiting the U.S.’s credibility as a neutral mediator. Simultaneously, rising powers like China and Russia are seeking larger diplomatic roles in the Middle East, posing a potential threat to U.S. influence in the region. These limitations raise critical questions about the stability of U.S. leadership, especially due to the region’s rapidly changing alliances.
While imperative to halting any more immediate bloodshed, any ceasefire will be fragile and likely temporary if the underlying political grievances in the region are not addressed and broader political solutions are not found. Despite its diplomatic efforts, the United States has yet to express a comprehensive and thorough vision for lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Meanwhile, the Abraham Accords have changed regional dynamics, strengthening Israel’s ties with Gulf states, dismissing Palestinian ambitions and overall sidelining the Palestinian cause. As these events unfold, the region remains trapped between temporary reconciliation and enduring conflict.
The United States remains a central player in the diplomatic arena, but its efforts are limited due to political competition, regional distrust, and the lack of a long-term peace strategy. Without a more long-term and balanced approach, U.S. diplomacy risks being a temporary solution to this persistent conflict, leaving the Middle East vulnerable to another cycle of conflict and violence. Whether the United States can adapt its diplomacy to overcome these broader challenges remains an unanswered question with great consequences for both the Middle Eastern region and U.S. global leadership as a whole.
