December 8, 2025 | “Will War Return to Gaza?” with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a native Gazan, will offer a stark, forward-looking assessment of the Israeli–Palestinian landscape. He will contend that the long-touted ISF (International Stabilization Force) concept is no longer viable in its traditional form. Alkhatib will discuss the real strategic question: what to do about the 50% of the population living in Israeli-controlled territory without sliding into a hard partition reminiscent of East and West Berlin. Alkhatib will also tackle the debate around “buying calm” — questioning whether it is a workable short-term strategy or a dangerous path that merely postpones crises, as evidenced by the lead-up to October 7th. His discussion will confront the hard choices ahead and what a sustainable alternative may look like.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib serves as a resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Middle East programs, where he writes extensively on Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs, is an outspoken critic of Hamas, and promotes a radically pragmatic approach to peace and Palestinian statehood as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. He also leads the organization Realign For Palestine. His writing and opinions have been published and featured across the US, Israeli, and international press, and his views are prominently featured across social media platforms. He grew up in Gaza City and left Gaza in 2005. Alkhatib holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, and a master’s in intelligence and national security studies.
