Israeli prime minister hails US push to construct ‘completely different Gaza’ as cupboard prepares to debate second stage of ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated he’s “dedicated” to a United States proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and displace its Palestinian residents, as Washington’s prime diplomat was in Saudi Arabia to push the plan opposed by Arab states.
In a press release on Monday, Netanyahu stated he was “dedicated to US President Trump’s plan for the creation of a unique Gaza”.
The Israeli chief additionally promised that “neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority” would rule the enclave on the finish of the 15-month struggle, which has killed greater than 48,000 Palestinians and led to a dire humanitarian disaster.
Netanyahu’s remarks come a day after he hailed “Trump’s daring imaginative and prescient for Gaza’s future” throughout a gathering with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem.
Human rights teams have slammed the Trump administration’s push to take over Gaza and forcibly displace Palestinians as a violation of worldwide legislation that may quantity to ethnic cleaning.
The proposal additionally has been broadly denounced by Arab nations, however it’s anticipated to be on the agenda throughout Rubio’s visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week.
Rubio was welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday in Riyadh, the newest cease on the highest US diplomat’s first go to to the Center East.
Saudi Arabia is spearheading Arab efforts to develop a counterproposal to Trump’s plan for Gaza, which might contain a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and a deal to sideline Hamas.
The Saudi Overseas Ministry has stated it rejects any makes an attempt to displace Palestinians from their land.
Rubio stated in a latest interview that the US remained open to various proposals from Arab governments, however for now “the one plan is the Trump plan”.
In the meantime, Israel’s safety cupboard was anticipated to debate the second part of the Gaza ceasefire on Monday.
The second part – through which Hamas is to launch dozens of remaining captives in alternate for extra Palestinian prisoners, a long-lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza – has but to be agreed to.
Far-right members of the Israeli authorities, together with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have stated they’d stop Netanyahu’s coalition if the struggle doesn’t resume.
To this point, 19 Israeli captives have been freed as a part of the primary part of the ceasefire deal that started on January 19. A complete of 33 captives are anticipated to be launched at staggered intervals throughout this stage.
Netanyahu has stated “the gates of hell can be opened” on Gaza if all of the captives should not freed.
US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff stated on Sunday that the second stage of the deal is “completely going to start” and that Trump “desires to see” it occur.
“We aren’t leaving anyone behind,” he stated, referring to the remaining captives.
Meron Rapoport, an editor for Israeli information outlet Native Name, stated that whereas Netanyahu’s authorities has little want to maneuver to the second stage of the ceasefire, it’s being pressured on two fronts.
“Netanyahu is seeing in Trump’s plan the fulfilment of the dream of emptying Gaza of Palestinians,” Rapoport advised Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv.
“However on the identical time, [he is] being pressured by the US and by the households of the hostages who haven’t but been launched to enter the second stage.”
He added that the second stage of the deal “would imply the tip of the struggle” and the potential launch of outstanding Palestinian political prisoners, reminiscent of Marwan Barghouti.
“And that is very laborious to swallow for Israel,” Rapoport stated.
