Doha: The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), in collaboration with the Hikama Journal of Public Administration and Public Policy, held a three-day workshop entitled "Towards Palestinian Frameworks for Reconstruction in the Gaza Strip."
According to Qatar News Agency, the workshop took place in Doha, running in parallel with the fourth Annual Palestine Forum organized by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and the Institute for Palestine Studies. The event gathered scholars and researchers who presented twelve peer-reviewed papers across four panel discussions, alongside Palestinian experts who actively participated in dedicated roundtables. This initiative is part of CHS's ongoing efforts to emphasize Palestinian agency in the debate on post-conflict reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, aiming to develop independent and sustainable recovery pathways led by Palestinian actors amid the ongoing conflict.
During the Opening Session, CHS Director Dr. Ghassan Elkahlout highlighted the significance of the workshop amid escalating international proposals under the banner of "Reconstructing Gaza." He pointed out that these proposals often attempt to redefine Gaza and the Palestinian cause outside the framework of rights and sovereignty, suggesting that they are not purely technical reconstruction projects but represent a shift from politics to administration, from rights to projects, and from sovereignty to tutelage, excluding Palestinians from decision-making regarding their land and future.
Editor-in-Chief of Hikama Journal, Abdel Fattah Madi, emphasized that the workshop is part of a special issue titled "Reconstruction Policies in the Arab World after Wars," which explores the region's transformations following conflicts and analyzes the political, economic, and social challenges facing reconstruction efforts. Participants stressed that Palestinians' right to remain on their land and their right to self-determination are the non-negotiable foundations of any legitimate reconstruction process.
The workshop featured four discussion sessions and four roundtables, collectively addressing the humanitarian situation and recovery limits, governance, civilian protection and security, and reconstruction policies.