Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled his post-Gaza war plan, marking his first official proposal for the aftermath of the conflict in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory. According to the document presented to Israel’s security cabinet on Thursday, Israel would assert security control over all land west of the Jordan River, encompassing the West Bank and Gaza – areas crucial for the Palestinians’ aspirations for statehood.
In the outlined long-term goals, Netanyahu rejects the “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state, emphasizing that a resolution with the Palestinians can only be achieved through direct negotiations. However, the document doesn’t specify the Palestinian party involved.
For Gaza, Netanyahu highlights demilitarization and deradicalization as medium-term objectives. While the timeframe remains unspecified, he conditions the rehabilitation of Gaza on complete demilitarization. The proposal suggests an Israeli presence at the Gaza-Egypt border, collaborating with Egypt and the United States to prevent smuggling, especially at the Rafah crossing.
To replace Hamas rule in Gaza while maintaining public order, Netanyahu recommends collaborating with local representatives “not affiliated with terrorist countries or groups.” He advocates for closing the U.N. Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA and replacing it with other international aid groups.
The Prime Minister’s office stated that the document reflects broad public consensus over war goals and replacing Hamas rule with a civilian alternative. It was distributed to initiate discussions within the security cabinet.
The war began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages according to Israeli counts. In response, Israel launched an extensive air and ground assault on Gaza, resulting in over 29,400 casualties according to Palestinian health authorities. The offensive displaced most of the population, causing hunger and disease.
The spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, dismissed Netanyahu’s proposal, asserting that it was destined to fail. He reiterated the need to end Israel’s occupation, recognizing an independent Palestinian state for regional security and stability.
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