Cross-Border Dimensions of Peace-Building

Peyrony, Jean and Nasrallah, Rami and Turner, Michael and Marshall, Martina Benedetti (2026) Cross-Border Dimensions of Peace-Building. JOURNAL OF ADVANCED STUDIES ON BORDERS COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, 2 (1). pp. 223-250. ISSN 3057-9872

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Abstract

Borders are not simply lines of separation, but rather dynamic spaces of interaction, making them central both to conflict and to peacebuilding. Building on this premise, this paper examines the Anthedon initiative and its flagship report “Gaza: A Vision of Hope” (2025), which proposes a vision for the reconstruction of Gaza within a broader regional framework involving Palestine, Israel, Egypt, and neighbouring countries. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts from Heritopolis, UN-Habitat, and diverse backgrounds, the initiative places cultural and natural heritage, urban renewal, economic connectivity, climate resilience, and cross-border governance at the core of a transformative agenda for recovery and reconciliation. It is precisely these cross-border aspects that will be explored throughout the paper. The article first revisits the content and context of the Anthedon initiative and the Vision of Hope report, and highlights the relevance of European experiences in cross-border cooperation as a valuable reference for the region. The paper then synthesises the current context in Gaza and key scenarios for future trajectories for Palestine and Israel, emphasising their spatial, political, and societal implications. Finally, it develops a detailed analysis of cross-border components embedded in these scenarios, structured around a multi-level governance framework and articulated through six dimensions of cross-border integration aimed at fostering cooperation, trust-building, and peace. By bridging scenario building in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with insights pulled from the experience of European integration, the paper argues that cross-border approaches offer a productive lens through which to reimagine post-conflict futures in Gaza and its wider regional environment.

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