Netanyahu Affirms Commitment to Trump's Gaza Plan Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses support for a controversial proposal to oversee Gaza's future while navigating ongoing tensions with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to former U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for the future of the Gaza Strip, declaring, "Just as I have committed to, on the day after the war in Gaza, there will be neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority." Netanyahu's statements come amid uncertainty surrounding Israel's potential engagement in negotiations in Qatar regarding the next stages of the fragile ceasefire with Hamas.
Reports from Sky News Arabia suggest that Hamas is willing to transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA), as mediated by Egypt.
The Palestinian militant group is said to have agreed to form a temporary committee to supervise reconstruction efforts in Gaza, following extensive destruction from Israeli airstrikes throughout the ongoing conflict.
Netanyahu's recent remarks have raised concerns that the ongoing truce, currently in its month-long duration, may be threatened, especially after revelations about Trump's unexpected proposal for an American-led administration to "take over" Gaza, which includes relocating its Palestinian population to countries like Egypt and Jordan.
Humanitarian law experts have condemned this idea, labeling it as ethnic cleansing.
In line with these developments, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday the establishment of a new agency designed to manage the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians from Gaza.
Concurrently, the stability of a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah is also under scrutiny as a deadline for an Israeli troop withdrawal approaches.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, indicated that troops would maintain operations in five designated locations along the border to ensure the security of Israeli communities, a move that has met disapproval from Lebanese officials.
Moreover, a decision from Israel’s security cabinet on whether to send a delegation to Doha to discuss the complex and critical next phase of the Gaza ceasefire is anticipated.
The next phase is expected to begin in early March and will outline a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which is intended to conclude the hostilities.
In addition, this stage is slated to involve discussions regarding the exchange of bodies, a reconstruction plan for Gaza, and future governance.
Despite challenges, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the far-right Religious Zionism party has threatened to destabilize Netanyahu's coalition if military actions do not resume as the first stage of the ceasefire concludes.
Observers note that Netanyahu's concerns about potential corruption charges may drive his focus on maintaining governmental stability over negotiating a hostage deal.
Protests have emerged across Israel marking 500 days since the initial Hamas attacks, which resulted in numerous hostages being taken to Gaza.
Demonstrators congregated in Jerusalem, conveying messages to return hostages home.
As hostages continue to be exchanged, the Israeli government is preparing to receive the remains of four individuals from Gaza on Thursday and anticipates a scheduled release of six living hostages on Saturday.
Netanyahu's endorsement of Trump's Gaza vision has faced widespread rejection from the Palestinian populace and broader Arab community, who are exploring alternative strategies.
In an effort to address the situation, Saudi Arabia will host a summit involving delegations from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on February 23, with the Arab League convening on February 27 for discussions on Gaza's reconstruction and governance.
Meanwhile, the European Union reportedly plans to communicate its stance to Israel stressing that displaced Palestinians ought to return home in dignity, alongside an announcement of contributions for Gaza's reconstruction.
In a related incident, the IDF announced the killing of a Hamas leader in an airstrike located in Sidon, southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation within Israeli military operations in Lebanese territory since the ceasefire took effect.
The ceasefire has seen intermittent fire exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli military forces since the onset of the conflict initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Reports from Sky News Arabia suggest that Hamas is willing to transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA), as mediated by Egypt.
The Palestinian militant group is said to have agreed to form a temporary committee to supervise reconstruction efforts in Gaza, following extensive destruction from Israeli airstrikes throughout the ongoing conflict.
Netanyahu's recent remarks have raised concerns that the ongoing truce, currently in its month-long duration, may be threatened, especially after revelations about Trump's unexpected proposal for an American-led administration to "take over" Gaza, which includes relocating its Palestinian population to countries like Egypt and Jordan.
Humanitarian law experts have condemned this idea, labeling it as ethnic cleansing.
In line with these developments, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday the establishment of a new agency designed to manage the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians from Gaza.
Concurrently, the stability of a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah is also under scrutiny as a deadline for an Israeli troop withdrawal approaches.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, indicated that troops would maintain operations in five designated locations along the border to ensure the security of Israeli communities, a move that has met disapproval from Lebanese officials.
Moreover, a decision from Israel’s security cabinet on whether to send a delegation to Doha to discuss the complex and critical next phase of the Gaza ceasefire is anticipated.
The next phase is expected to begin in early March and will outline a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which is intended to conclude the hostilities.
In addition, this stage is slated to involve discussions regarding the exchange of bodies, a reconstruction plan for Gaza, and future governance.
Despite challenges, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the far-right Religious Zionism party has threatened to destabilize Netanyahu's coalition if military actions do not resume as the first stage of the ceasefire concludes.
Observers note that Netanyahu's concerns about potential corruption charges may drive his focus on maintaining governmental stability over negotiating a hostage deal.
Protests have emerged across Israel marking 500 days since the initial Hamas attacks, which resulted in numerous hostages being taken to Gaza.
Demonstrators congregated in Jerusalem, conveying messages to return hostages home.
As hostages continue to be exchanged, the Israeli government is preparing to receive the remains of four individuals from Gaza on Thursday and anticipates a scheduled release of six living hostages on Saturday.
Netanyahu's endorsement of Trump's Gaza vision has faced widespread rejection from the Palestinian populace and broader Arab community, who are exploring alternative strategies.
In an effort to address the situation, Saudi Arabia will host a summit involving delegations from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on February 23, with the Arab League convening on February 27 for discussions on Gaza's reconstruction and governance.
Meanwhile, the European Union reportedly plans to communicate its stance to Israel stressing that displaced Palestinians ought to return home in dignity, alongside an announcement of contributions for Gaza's reconstruction.
In a related incident, the IDF announced the killing of a Hamas leader in an airstrike located in Sidon, southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation within Israeli military operations in Lebanese territory since the ceasefire took effect.
The ceasefire has seen intermittent fire exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli military forces since the onset of the conflict initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
