Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined his vision for the future of Gaza, presenting a comprehensive plan for the aftermath of the conflict in the Hamas-governed Palestinian enclave. The proposal marks Netanyahu’s first official blueprint for Gaza’s future once the ongoing war concludes.
In Netanyahu’s plan, Israel would assert control over the entirety of land west of the Jordan River, encompassing the occupied West Bank and Gaza – territories where Palestinians aspire to establish an independent state. The prime minister rejects unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, asserting that any resolution must stem from direct negotiations between the parties involved, although specific Palestinian counterparts were not identified in the plan.
Regarding Gaza’s long-term objectives, Netanyahu emphasizes demilitarization and deradicalization, without specifying the commencement or duration of this intermediate phase. He conditions the reconstruction of Gaza, extensively damaged by Israel’s offensive, on its complete demilitarization. Additionally, Netanyahu proposes Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border in cooperation with Egypt and the United States to thwart smuggling attempts, including at the Rafah crossing.
To address governance in Gaza post-conflict, Netanyahu suggests collaborating with non-terrorist-affiliated local representatives, aiming to restore public order while sidelining Hamas. Furthermore, he calls for the dissolution of the U.N. Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA, advocating for its replacement by other international aid organizations.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office asserts that Netanyahu’s principles align with widespread public consensus regarding the war’s objectives and the need to replace Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative. The document has been distributed among security cabinet members to initiate discussions on the matter.
The conflict erupted following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in significant casualties and hostage-taking. Israel’s response, a comprehensive air and ground assault on blockaded Gaza, has caused substantial loss of life, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
Reacting to Netanyahu’s proposal, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, dismissed it as doomed to failure, rejecting any attempts to alter Gaza’s geographical and demographic realities. Abu Rudeineh reiterated the Palestinian demand for an end to Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The war in Gaza has reignited international calls, including from Israel’s primary ally, the United States, for a two-state solution to resolve the enduring Israel-Palestinian conflict. However, several senior Israeli politicians remain opposed to this approach, underscoring the persistent challenges in achieving Palestinian statehood despite decades of diplomatic efforts since the Oslo Accords.
The unveiling of Netanyahu’s plan signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, with its implications poised to shape the trajectory of peace negotiations and regional stability in the Middle East.
Sources By Agencies
