September 4 marked 700 days since the outbreak of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which began on 7 October 2023.

This war is not merely a military conflict but a systematic attempt to crush the Palestinian will for independence and freedom. Over this period, the Palestinian people have made immense sacrifices, exceeding the bounds of human imagination, in pursuit of their historical rights. However, these sacrifices have not been in vain; they have led to an unprecedented global momentum for recognising an independent Palestinian state.

In this article, we will review the history of the Palestinian cause, the catastrophic situation in Gaza, international shifts, Israel’s attempts to thwart the establishment of the state, and the reasons for its inevitable failure, with a focus on the fact that the establishment of a Palestinian state has become an inescapable reality.

The history of the Palestinian cause: legitimate demands and persistent neglect

The roots of the Palestinian cause extend back more than a century, when Zionist colonial activities began in Palestine under the auspices of the British Mandate. In 1948, the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel led to what is known as the “Nakba,” during which more than 750,000 Palestinians were displaced from their lands, and hundreds of villages were destroyed. Since then, Palestinians have demanded the establishment of an independent state with sovereignty over their historical lands, based on United Nations resolutions such as Resolution 181, which calls for the partition of Palestine, and Resolution 194, which guarantees the right of return for refugees.

Yet these legitimate demands have been consistently ignored. Instead of a fundamental solution, the international community has restricted itself to providing limited aid, often confined to humanitarian and material support through organisations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. While important, this aid has not addressed the core of the Palestinian issue: the Israeli occupation that has persisted for more than 77 years. The Oslo Accords of 1993, intended to create a transitional Palestinian authority, have instead become a tool for reinforcing Israeli control, failing to lead to an independent state after more than 30 years. Instead, the West Bank and Gaza Strip have witnessed an expansion of Israeli settlements, which have become a major obstacle to the two-state solution.

In this context, the Palestinian cause has become a symbol of global injustice, where Palestinians are treated as a people deprived of their basic rights, including the right to self-determination. Nevertheless, Palestinian resilience, especially in Gaza, has forced the world to reconsider its stance.

The genocide in Gaza: 700 days of suffering and sacrifice

After 700 days of war, the Gaza Strip has become scorched earth. According to reports from the Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of martyrs has exceeded 65,000, while more than 161,000 people have been injured, most of them women and children. More than 80% of the infrastructure has been destroyed, including hospitals, schools and homes, leading to the displacement of more than two million people living in catastrophic conditions. Hunger has become a weapon, with more than half the population suffering from acute malnutrition and dozens of children dying from starvation and related diseases due to the blockade.

These sacrifices are not futile; Palestinians have given everything they possess, including their most precious asset: the lives of their children. Gaza, once a symbol of resistance, has turned into a mass grave, but it has also become a witness to Israeli war crimes. Reports from international organisations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organisation confirm the use of prohibited weapons, indiscriminate bombing of residential areas, and the prevention of humanitarian aid entry, amounting to crimes of genocide. These 700 days have not broken the Palestinian people’s will, but have strengthened it, leading to a radical shift in global public opinion.

Global momentum for recognising a Palestinian state: a belated, but decisive step

Amid increasing international pressure, the world has witnessed unprecedented momentum for recognising the State of Palestine. To date, 147 of 193 United Nations member states recognise Palestine, representing over 76%. In 2024 and 2025, numerous countries joined this recognition, including Ireland, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, Armenia, Mexico, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados. Recently, major Western countries such as Belgium, France, Canada, the UK and Malta have announced their intention to recognise Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September 2025, based on the New York Declaration calling for a two-state solution.

This momentum has come late, after exhausting all peaceful avenues and after 77 years of occupation. Nevertheless, belated recognition is better than none at all, as it represents a shift in international policy toward supporting Palestinian rights. This momentum must be leveraged to advance the recognition process without conditions, allowing the establishment of a Palestinian state with full sovereignty over its historical lands, including the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. This state must encompass all Palestinians, without exceptions or conditions that restrict sovereignty, such as those related to security or borders, which are often used to offer a nominal state without substance.

Israel’s attempts to prevent the state’s establishment: expansion of settlements and ongoing violations

In the face of this momentum, Israel is exerting every effort to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Since 2024, the West Bank has seen an unprecedented expansion of settlements, with the Israeli Government approving the construction of more than 28,000 new housing units and the establishment of 22 new settlements, including the legalisation of illegal outposts. This expansion, which comes as a reaction to international recognition, aims to fragment the West Bank and make the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state impossible. Violations in Jerusalem have also increased, including home demolitions and incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while the genocide in Gaza continues.

In the Israeli parliament (Knesset), symbolic resolutions have been passed calling for the annexation of the West Bank, reflecting the policies of the far-right government. These measures are not new, but have intensified in 2024-2025, with the number of settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem reaching approximately 700,000 in more than 160 settlements. This expansion violates international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of civilian populations to occupied territories.

The failure of Israel’s attempts: A zero-sum equation and a potential uprising

Despite these efforts, Israel will fail to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Continuing control over the West Bank will inevitably lead to the outbreak of a widespread popular uprising, in which the entire Palestinian people in the West Bank will take to the streets to reject annexation and settlement. History bears witness to this; the First Intifada (1987) and the Second Intifada (2000) were responses to the occupation, and inflicted heavy losses on Israel.

Moreover, this annexation will lead to the disintegration of the Palestinian Authority, which has gradually transformed into a security apparatus serving Israeli interests through security co-ordination, viewed by many as betrayal. Israel does not want this disintegration, as it would create a security vacuum threatening its stability. Conversely, not imposing sovereignty on the West Bank requires withdrawal and recognition of a Palestinian state, which Israel also does not want. Thus, Israel faces a zero-sum equation: either annexation leading to explosion or withdrawal leading to a Palestinian state.

The sacrifices in Gaza must be crowned with international accountability for Israel, through political, economic, cultural and sporting boycotts, and the prosecution of its leaders at the International Criminal Court for war crimes. This pressure, combined with global momentum, will force Israel to retreat.

Conclusion: The establishment of a Palestinian state is an inevitable reality

In the end, the establishment of a Palestinian state with full sovereignty has become an inescapable reality. After 700 days of genocide, the Palestinian people have proven that their sacrifices will not be wasted. The world, silent for decades, is now moving toward recognition, paving the way for a state encompassing all historical lands, with sovereignty over resources, borders, airspace and sea. Israel, despite its attempts, will fail, because history stands on the side of justice. Soon, the world will witness the birth of the State of Palestine, a symbol of resilience and freedom.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.