Israel plans indefinite control of Gaza when war is over

ISRAEL is planning to exercise indefinite control over all aspects of life in Gaza, in its first official post-war proposal for the territory. But Palestinian figures have decried the plan, describing it as a “reoccupation”, while Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, also reaffirmed Washington’s opposition to such an outcome.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, presented the two-page document to the security cabinet yesterday, following months of pressure from Israel’s allies. It proposes Israel’s army maintain security control of Gaza “without a time limit” with freedom of movement throughout the area.

Israel will run a deradicalisation programme in Gazan schools and mosques, with assistance from Arab countries with experience in the issue. The document also describes a buffer zone on the Palestinian side of the border that will remain “as long as there is a security need for it”. There must be a “[demilitarisation] of any military capability beyond what is required for the needs of maintaining public order”, it reads.

Israel will also implement a “closure” on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt to prevent smuggling “underground and above ground, including at the Rafah crossing.” The aim is also to prevent terror activity and will be coordinated “as much as possible” with Egypt and the United States. But Mr Blinken on Friday reiterated Washington was against any reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, as well as any reduction of its size. “Gaza... cannot be a platform for terrorism. There should be no Israeli reoccupation of

‘Gaza will be part of the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital... any other plan is doomed’

Gaza. The size of Gaza territory should not be reduced,” he said.

Palestinian figures also reacted strongly to Mr Netanyahu’s plan. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry in Ramallah called it “a formal declaration of the return of the occupation to the Gaza Strip, and an attempt to gain more time to implement the expulsion plan.” Israel previously occupied Gaza before withdrawing in 2005. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, said: “Gaza will be part of the independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and any other plan is doomed to fail.”

While far-Right Israeli ministers have openly advocated for the resettling of Gaza, Mr Netanyahu has dismissed the idea. A source familiar with the issue told that Israel is in touch with the United Arab Emirates and other partners to create a business leadership in Gaza to aid deradicalisation.