Netanyahu's post-war strategy: Israel to retain security control in Palestinian areas
Netanyahu's inaugural post-war strategy for Gaza entails Israel retaining security jurisdiction over Palestinian territories, conditioning reconstruction on demilitarization. The blueprint echoes entrenched Israeli stances, underscoring Netanyahu's resistance to a Palestinian state, which he deems a security peril, while not explicitly ruling out its future possibility. Palestinian officials swiftly dismissed the plan as destined for failure.
2:22 PM EST, February 23, 2024
Netenyahu's plan
The proposal suggests Israel maintain security dominance over the Jordan-west land, encompassing the occupied West Bank and Gaza, regions where Palestinians aspire to establish an independent state. Presented to the security cabinet, Netanyahu's plan emerges amid mounting global calls to cease the conflict ravaging Gaza and rejuvenate endeavors for a Palestinian state adjacent to Israel. The United States, Israel's key ally, insists solely a two-state solution can yield enduring peace.
Netanyahu rebuffs "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state, advocating for direct negotiations sans specifying the Palestinian interlocutor. In Gaza, the plan envisions replacing Hamas's rule with non-affiliated local representatives, aiming for demilitarization and deradicalization in the medium term. Described as reflecting widespread public consensus, the document delineates principles for transitioning away from Hamas governance.
Operation in Ramadan on stake
While lacking specifics on the interim phase's commencement or duration, the plan predicates Gaza's rehabilitation, decimated by Israel's offensive, on complete demilitarization. Concurrently, efforts persist to broker a ceasefire, crucial ahead of the impending Muslim holy month of Ramadan in March. Israeli ministers warn of an impending operation in Rafah if no agreement is reached, where dire humanitarian conditions afflict over a million Palestinians seeking refuge.
Dismissing Netanyahu's proposal, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman asserts any Israeli attempts to alter Gaza's geographic and demographic realities are doomed. He insists genuine regional security necessitates ending Israel's occupation, recognizing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
It won't be so clear for Israel
Netanyahu advocates for Israeli presence on the Gaza-Egypt border, collaborating with Egypt and the US to thwart smuggling, notably at the Rafah crossing. The plan advocates dismantling UNRWA, accusing it of abetting Hamas, and substituting it with other international aid organizations.
President Biden briefly reacted to Israeli's officials
Sources: Reuters; CNN
