The Hidden Battle for Gaza’s Wealth

“The world is in greater peril from those who tolerate or encourage evil than from those who actually commit it. “Albert Einstein

Mahatma Gandhi’s most famous phrase is, “The earth is enough for everybody’s needs, but not enough for everybody’s greed.”

The Gaza Strip is not only a main problem but it is also a security issue due to terrorism and counter-terrorism operations. However, its natural reserves of gas make it one of the key regions in the Middle East. A drilling campaign by the British Gas Group at the Gaza Marine gas field in 2000 recorded the accumulation of a total of 1.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This asset alone could fund the development of a strong economy, infrastructure, and nation through liberalisation. Nonetheless, despite the fact that it represents the lifeblood of Palestinian lives and has previously demonstrated its transformative potential, the Gaza Marine remains out of reach for Palestinians.

Israel, citing security concerns, has blocked any Palestinian attempts to exploit this resource. The justification is clear: Hamas, which controls Gaza, is seen as a security threat. But the real reason for this blockade is the desire to maintain control over Gaza’s natural wealth. Israel’s actions have gone beyond mere protective measures; they have been aimed at ensuring that Gaza remains economically weak and dependent on external aid. The Palestinian Authority’s inability to tap into the Gaza Marine has resulted in billions of dollars in lost revenue for the Gaza people money that could have gone towards schools, hospitals, and jobs. Instead, Israel guarantees that Gaza remains politically fractured, destitute, and dependent on foreign aid.

The Golan Heights: Israel’s Resource-Rich Occupation

The Gaza conflict is not limited to a single location. Israel’s occupation is not confined to Palestinian territory; it also comprises the resource-rich Golan Heights, which were taken by Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967. The Golan Heights, a region officially recognised as part of Syria, has grown into a centre for Israeli crude oil production following the discovery of significant oil deposits there. Syria does not recognise the Golan as part of Israel, and international law regards its use of the territory as illegal. However, Israel uses the banner of economic prosperity to justify its occupation.

This is not simply a way for Israel to acquire energy resources for domestic consumption but part of a larger geopolitical strategy. Israel, through these resources, aims to fortify its authority in the region and become a dominant energy hub in the Middle East. For Syrians, this serves as a heavy burden: they remain unable to access the treasure beneath their land.

A Pattern of Resource Exploitation: The Suppression of Sovereignty

The Gaza Marine gas field and the oil in the Golan Heights are not only similar because of their strategic value but also because Palestinians and Syrians are systematically denied sovereignty over these resources. Israel’s intrusive actions in Gaza and the Golan Heights reveal a consistent disregard for indigenous rights, retaining resources solely for its own benefit. The rulers’ approach to controlling resources is more than just economic it is also a form of subjugation. By limiting Palestinian and Syrian influence over the land’s natural resources, Israel has established an effective strategic position, ensuring that these people remain divided and politically powerless, incapable of gaining full independence.

This is an old story. Throughout history, great nations have waged wars over wealth rather than land or philosophy. Arundhati Roy, an author and activist, famously said, “The genuine struggle is not the one shown on television. It is the silent struggle waged by collectives, governments, and businesses to control the world’s resources.” This sentiment is tragically evident in the cases of Gaza and Syria.

A War Not About Religion, But Control

At its foundation, the Gaza conflict is not a religious one. It is not a fight between Judaism and Islam or two fundamentally different ideologies. The actual root of the conflict is the contention between two nations for strength, domination over easily accessible resources, wealth, and, ultimately, the uncertain future of the people who live there. Israel’s measures in Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights are not about making peace and defending the civilians; they are centered on the occupation of these territories and the utilization of their resources.

A 2023 report provided information that Israel issued new licenses for gas extraction along the Gaza shore despite the worsening humanitarian needs in Gaza. The Israeli government oversees this action not out of a desire for peace or security but rather to reinforce Israel’s dominion over Gaza’s resources. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, “The pursuit of peace must be informed by justice and equity, and resource exploitation is not the way to achieve peace.”

The Human Cost: Lives Lost for Natural Wealth

The human cost of this conflict is immense. Entire villages have been uprooted, thousands killed, and Gaza’s economy and infrastructure have been severely damaged, leaving its residents with little hope. One of the main drivers of this misery is Israel’s military operations and control over Gaza’s resources.

The forcible relocation of individuals from northern Gaza, ostensibly for security reasons, demonstrates Israel’s long-term strategy of seizing Palestinian territory and resources. Israeli MPs have even proposed relocating Gaza’s residents to the Sinai Peninsula, cutting Palestinians off from their homeland and demonstrating a colonial mentality. Such policies would deny them access to critical resources needed to rebuild their lives.

A Call for Accountability and Justice

The international community must empower Palestinians and Syrians to utilise their rightful resources rather than enable exploitation. Palestinians and Syrians must be ensured their rights to live under international law, currently ignored in Gaza and the Golan Heights. The global response must demand that these valuable resources be managed to benefit the people, not the occupying power.

The Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip remain two areas not under full Israeli control. Syrians and Palestinians have expressed their political rights to self-determination and property. Meetings conducted within an open and accountable regulatory framework are the only way for these regions to move beyond conflict. This is not a border dispute, neither is it a case of different religions involved. It is some people trying to control the resources and perpetuate the system that gives the power to the few totally ignoring the rest of the people who make up the majority. The international community should argue for an unbiased and just solution which would give the Palestinians and Syrians their fundamental rights. This has significant ramifications for Gaza and the wider region.