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As the war continues in Israel and Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks about the future of the Gaza Strip and rejects hardliners.
Tel Aviv – The war between Israel and Gaza has been raging for months, with thousands of people losing their lives and the Israeli army continuing to crack down on Hamas. Although the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has now adjusted its controversial military approach in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, large parts of the coastal area have been destroyed following the Hamas attack last October.
Recently, Israeli hardliners have repeatedly advocated radical solutions in the region, including settlement with Israeli nationals. In view of the current war situation in Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu has now commented on these efforts and clearly rejected them.
Netanyahu on the future of the Gaza Strip: “Relocation was never a plan”
“Relocation in Gaza was never the plan,” Benjamin Netanyahu said in one Interview with CNN on Tuesday evening (May 21). The head of the Likud party stressed that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinian Authority would be able to rebuild settlements in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu made it clear that while Israel must maintain security control over Gaza to prevent a resurgence of terrorism by Hamas, there are no plans to permanently occupy the Gaza Strip.
Against this background, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called, among other things, for Israeli settlements to be built in the Gaza Strip and for Palestinians to voluntarily emigrate. Other politicians from the conservative-right spectrum have also made similar statements in recent days. Netanyahu acknowledged that his stance on Gaza’s future could anger some voters. Since fighting broke out in the region last fall, the political right has repeatedly made radical plans for the coastal strip public.
Future of Gaza Strip after war in Israel: Netanyahu has “very precise” plan
“I want a different future for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Netanyahu said, but ruled out the possibility that the Palestinian Authority could control the Gaza Strip once the war was over and Hamas was no longer in power. He told CNN that the Palestinian Authority still teaches its children to seek the destruction of the Jewish state and pays monthly allowances to imprisoned terrorists.
Netanyahu sees the destruction of the Hamas remains the most important goal for the future of the Gaza Strip. He would then pursue a “very precise” plan for the coastal region that would include a demilitarized civilian administration run by the Palestinians. “I would let the reconstruction of Gaza be carried out, if possible, by the moderate Arab states and the international community,” Netanyahu said.
Future of Gaza Strip unclear: Almost one million people displaced by Rafah offensive
It remains to be seen whether Netanyahu’s plan for the future of the Gaza Strip will be accepted by his political allies. However, the international community has been pushing for a clear perspective for the war-torn region for months. Just a few days ago, an adviser to US President Joe Biden reiterated the call for Israel to present a political strategy for the future of the Gaza Strip. This is of great importance in view of ensuring supplies for the civilian population in the region. Currently, Israel has changed its plans for the Rafah offensive at the urging of the USA. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, almost a million people have now been displaced from the region.
The need for a political perspective for the Gaza Strip was also expressed by the New Zurich Newspaper in an article. The newspaper sees future prospects for society only in a sensible alternative to the Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip. While Israeli politicians will probably continue to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip in the coming days, international dynamics are increasingly changing the situation in the region: On May 22nd – one day after Netanyahu’s CNN-Interview – Ireland, Spain and Norway announced that they wanted to recognize Palestine as a state.
Palestine recognized as a state: New development with impact on Gaza Strip
Israel reacted quickly to this development. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has recalled his country’s ambassadors in Ireland, Spain and Norway for immediate consultations. “I am sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who undermine its sovereignty and threaten its security,” he said on the X platform, formerly Twitter. “Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays,” said Katz. (fbu/dpa)
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