Israel has released its initial post-conflict strategy for the Gaza Strip, which includes the removal of Hamas, opposition to unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, and the closure of the UN Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA.
The Prime Minister stated that Israel intends to maintain security control over all Palestinian territories and link the reconstruction of Gaza to its demilitarization.
Netanyahu's Gaza Plan Condemned
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed post-war plan for Gaza has sparked strong condemnation from the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry. In a scathing statement released on Friday, the ministry rejected the plan, characterizing it as "an official reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and the imposition of Israeli control over it."
Netanyahu presented the plan to the security cabinet, where potential amendments could be demanded. The document suggests Israel maintaining security control over all land west of the Jordan River, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza, areas crucial for the Palestinians' aspirations for an independent state.
In the long-term goals presented, Netanyahu rejects the concept of "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state and emphasizes the value of reaching an agreement through direct negotiations between the parties involved.
For Gaza, the proposal envisions demilitarization and deradicalization as medium-term goals, conditioning the rehabilitation of the war-torn area on its complete demilitarization. Netanyahu suggests an Israeli presence on the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent smuggling attempts, collaborating with Egypt and the United States in the process.
The plan also calls for replacing Hamas rule in Gaza with local representatives not affiliated with terrorist entities. Additionally, Netanyahu proposes the discontinuation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its replacement with other international aid groups, as per to Daily Mail.
Palestinian Authority Accuses Israel
A statement from the Prime Minister's office claims that the document reflects a broad public consensus on the goals of the war and the desire to replace Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative. The document has been distributed to security cabinet members for discussion.
The Palestinian Authority contends that Israel is using a strategic tactic that builds on American and international initiatives, connecting the outcome of the war and the freedom of hostages and prisoners to the resolution of the wider Palestinian-Israeli conflict..
The PA urges the United States and other Western countries to take decisive action, including recognizing Palestine as an independent state, facilitating its UN membership, and convening an international peace conference. These actions, the PA contends, are crucial for ending the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination freely and with dignity.
The continuing conflict, which Hamas initiated with an offensive on southern Israel on October 7, has led to differing estimates from both sides regarding the number of people killed. The fighting has resulted in considerable deaths and displacement. Netanyahu's strategy following the conflict introduces a fresh element to the already intricate and difficult circumstances in the area, escalating tensions among the parties involved, according to Newsable Asianet News.
