Al-Hol Camp: Demographic time bomb, Gaza between war, Israeli politics

Today’s newspapers highlighted the danger posed by Al-Hol camp in NE Syria, the international tensions over Syria’s future, and Netanyahu’s stance on the Gaza war.

Al-Hol Camp: A demographic time bomb waiting to explode

Al-Arab London reported on the alarming transformation of Al-Hol camp in NE Syria, which has evolved from a temporary displacement camp into a security hub threatening both local and regional stability.

According to experts cited by the newspaper, the situation in the camp constitutes a “demographic time bomb waiting to explode,” as it houses thousands of families with extremist ideologies. This makes it a potential source of security and social explosions that could extend beyond the camp to surrounding areas and even beyond Syria’s borders.

The report added that the absence of serious international intervention increases the risk of the camp turning into an internally armed environment, where extremist cells clash and carry out assassinations amid a prevailing culture of violence. This complicates the efforts of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration to maintain order and threatens regional stability.

The newspaper explained that the Autonomous Administration bears the full responsibility for managing this highly complex camp, amid limited resources and a lack of effective international support. Despite regular security campaigns conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), attempts to prevent killings, infiltrations, and dismantle sleeper cells remain a daily challenge.

The report noted that this growing pressure further weakens security control, particularly as the camp is located in a region experiencing ongoing regional tension between the SDF and Turkey on one side, and sleeper cells of ISIS spread across the Syrian desert on the other.

It also highlighted that most Western countries refuse to repatriate their nationals, women and children, due to security and political concerns, leaving them in a state of “legal limbo”: neither prisoners of war, nor protected refugees, nor legally charged.

According to the newspaper, this legal vacuum fuels the security vacuum, turning the camp into a space prone to collapse.

Netanyahu finds no safe haven for Gaza’s displaced

Asharq Al-Awsat examined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position on the Gaza war, noting that his main goal is the slow destruction of the Gaza Strip and the displacement of part of its population, despite failing to find countries willing to host them.

The report argued that Netanyahu has exploited Hamas for years to serve his agenda of stalling a political solution; first by dividing the Palestinian factions, then by linking Palestinians to terrorism, and finally by blaming Hamas for prolonging the war and the massacres due to its refusal to withdraw.

At the same time, Netanyahu has ignored ceasefire initiatives, using the hostage situation to justify continuing the war, while allowing only limited humanitarian aid despite alternative solutions via Israeli ports and airports.

The newspaper added that “media coverage and public opinion do not constitute a real loss for Netanyahu; instead, they reinforce his image as a protective leader. While Israel gains political and public relations benefits, Hamas has only suffered heavy losses.”

A-H 

ANHA