On 1 April 2025, veteran and award-winning journalist Irris Makler—who has reported from Moscow, Jerusalem, and Gaza—spoke at AIIA NSW on the shifting tides of Middle East diplomacy under Donald Trump’s second term. Her insights offered a deep account of the war in Gaza, its human toll, media coverage, and shifting regional dynamics. Drawing on her years of experience reporting from the Middle East, Makler peeled back the layers of a highly complex region and used personal observations and political analysis to help shed a light on a part of the world that may not be well understood from the outside. Additionally, Makler posed some thought-provoking questions around leadership, legitimacy, and the role of the international community—leaving the audience with much to reflect on.

The Human Cost and Internal Dissent

To open the evening’s presentation, Makler shared sobering statistics on the human cost of the ongoing conflict. Since 7 October 2023, it is estimated that at least 50,399 Palestinians have been killed and 114,583 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza. On the Israeli side, over 1,700 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed, and at least 8,730 injured following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Makler also provided insight into current evacuation orders on Gaza residence in the north. The orders come after Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and has the potential to once again displace hundreds of thousands of civilians in the Gaza strip.

One of the most striking points of the evening was Makler’s examination of growing internal dissent against Hamas among Gaza’s residents. She highlighted a notable shift, pointing to recent street protests in former Hamas strongholds like Khan Yunis, where Palestinians have begun to publicly voice their frustration with Hamas’s rule. Makler noted that these protests are exceptionally rare and dangerous, given Hamas’s repressive response—cracking down on demonstrators, with reports of some being beaten nearly to death and left without medical aid. Despite the risks, she argued, the emergence of these protests could mark a turning point in public sentiment, suggesting that some Gazans may be seeking an alternative path forward beyond Hamas.

Leadership, Dissatisfaction, and Qatar-Gate

Makler also explored the political and diplomatic dynamics between Israel and the United States, with particular focus on the January 19 ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration. She outlined the groundwork laid by US officials to secure the agreement—an early diplomatic win that was important for Trump as he entered his second term. However, Makler was critical of the ceasefire, describing it as too delayed, overly complex, and riddled with structural weaknesses that made it prone to collapse. She also noted Trump’s ambitious promise to reconstruct Gaza and spearhead regional development—but ultimately, little materialised, and conditions in Gaza have only deteriorated further.

Makler also addressed the erosion of public confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that many Israelis are increasingly turning to external actors—such as Washington and figures like Donald Trump—for leadership and direction. This growing disillusionment with Netanyahu and the broader Israeli government has sparked regular protests across Israel, with citizens calling for his resignation and demanding a full inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks.

Meanwhile, revelations about “Qatar-gate” — the alleged financial ties between Netanyahu’s aides and Qatar — have further eroded domestic trust in the Israeli government. Makler noted that Netanyahu responded by firing senior figures in the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security agency), deepening internal instability and fuelled public distrust of the sitting government of the day.

Audience Q&A: Displacement and Intelligence Failures

During the Q&A, one of the most pressing questions raised was: “Where are Palestinians expected to go if evacuations continue?” Makler addressed the humanitarian dilemma with stark realism. Egypt and Jordan, often floated as destinations, have made it clear that they do not want to absorb large numbers of displaced Palestinians, fearing both political instability and long-term demographic shifts. The deeper issue, Makler noted, is the absence of a credible return plan. Without guarantees that evacuees could come back to Gaza, any forced displacement risks becoming permanent — a prospect that would further inflame regional tensions and undermine any hope for a two-state solution. She cautioned that this approach to resettle Palestinians, driven more by strategic objectives than humanitarian concerns, could shift the conflict’s centre of gravity into neighbouring countries, potentially destabilising Egypt and Jordan.

Another key question raised during the evening was how Israeli intelligence failed to prevent the October 7 attacks. Makler explained that security forces had deprioritised Gaza, focusing instead on perceived threats from Israel’s northern borders—a miscalculation with devastating consequences. She recounted chilling reports that surveillance officers had raised alarms weeks before the assault, warning of security vulnerabilities along the Israeli-Gaza border, only to be dismissed by senior commanders. Makler argued that this was not merely an operational failure, but part of a broader institutional blind spot—a reluctance to reassess outdated assumptions about Hamas’s capabilities.

Conclusion

Makler concluded with a sobering reflection: the end of the conflict may lie not in Gaza or Tel Aviv, but in Washington. She emphasized the urgency of leadership — both regional and global — that genuinely prioritises peace over power. Her talk left the audience with a deeper understanding of a war often reduced to headlines, and a reminder of the power and responsibility of storytelling in shaping global awareness.

Report by Bayan Sohailee, AIIA NSW intern

Irris Makler (left) with AIIA NSW intern Bayan Sohailee (centre) and AIIA NSW President Ian Lincoln