Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel unveiled his comprehensive proposal for a postwar Gaza, stipulating continued military control over the enclave with civilian administration handed over to non-Hamas-affiliated Gazans. This plan, if enacted, would hinder the establishment of a Palestinian state encompassing Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank in the near future. Such a scenario is likely to intensify tensions between Israel and its international allies, including the United States, who advocate for Palestinian sovereignty post-war. The proposal comes after nearly 20 weeks of conflict in Gaza, resulting in a death toll of almost 30,000, with a significant number being women and children, according to Gazan authorities.
Mr. Netanyahu distributed his postwar Gaza plan to cabinet members and the media, outlining terms he had previously mentioned publicly but now consolidated into a single document. The proposal suggests disbanding UNRWA and revising Gazan education and welfare systems, in addition to establishing buffer zones along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt. This proposal was presented as American, Israeli, Qatari, and Egyptian representatives convened in Paris to discuss hostage release and a potential ceasefire. Simultaneously, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed discontent over Israel’s plan to construct 3,000 new housing units in West Bank settlements, labeling them as “inconsistent with international law.”
Palestinians swiftly criticized Netanyahu’s postwar plan, describing it as a means to prolong Israel’s occupation and obstruct the creation of a Palestinian state. Within Israel, the response to the plan was relatively subdued, with many proposals aligning with prevailing opinions in the country. Analysts noted that the plan was crafted meticulously to defer long-term decisions regarding Gaza’s future and circumvent conflicts with both domestic and foreign stakeholders. While some aspects may provoke Israel’s neighbors and allies, the proposal leaves room for interpretation and future adjustments.
The document delineates a blueprint for Gaza’s governance post-war, advocating for local non-Hamas-affiliated administrators to manage the territory. This stance contradicts the Biden administration’s stance that the Palestinian Authority should play a role in Gaza’s postwar administration. The plan alludes to the potential for a permanent arrangement with Palestinians through direct negotiations, eschewing unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state by other nations. Despite the plan raising concerns about Gaza’s future, humanitarian organizations and the United Nations have sounded alarms over the immediate humanitarian crisis in the region.
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