Netanyahu Unveils Postwar Gaza Plan Details

In a strategic move detailed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel plans to maintain security oversight in Gaza post-conflict, introducing a long-term vision for the area’s governance after the battle with Hamas concludes. This approach, divulged through an official announcement, emphasizes Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza to counteract future threats, including the establishment of a buffer zone within the territory, a component likely to stir dissent from the United States.

This blueprint, the first of its kind shared by Netanyahu, delineates a deviation from U.S. suggestions advocating for a rejuvenated Palestinian self-rule that would span Gaza and the West Bank, paving the way towards statehood.

Outlined within the proposal is the intention to dismantle Hamas, the dominant force in Gaza since 2007, a stance that reflects public sentiment against Hamas yet acknowledges the group’s significant societal integration. The feasibility of completely disbanding Hamas, however, has been met with skepticism.

A critical aspect of Netanyahu’s plan involves the political restructuring of Gaza, proposing governance by local figures devoid of affiliations with terror-supporting nations or entities, and who are not beneficiaries of their funding. The practicality of appointing such local governance, given past unsuccessful attempts by Israel to install Palestinian leadership, remains uncertain.