Netanyahu takes a risk in his final bid to prevent the imminent demise of his leadership
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza City and potentially the entire Gaza Strip has been approved by Israel's security cabinet, marking a first phase in an offensive that aims to fully control the region[1]. However, the White House has not explicitly endorsed this plan, with U.S. officials stating that President Trump (likely a dated or misattributed reference) decided not to intervene and will let Israel make its own decisions[1].
The Israeli security cabinet's approval sets in motion a plan that involves displacing around 1 million Palestinians in Gaza City and nearby areas through eviction orders before military operations[1]. Netanyahu's objectives include disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security control over Gaza even post-conflict, and establishing a new civilian government in Gaza that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority[1].
However, this move could raise significant questions under international law, including concerns over sovereignty, the rights of protected civilians, and potential accusations of forcible displacement and occupation policies. The plan to evict and displace a large civilian population intensifies these concerns[1].
The move could escalate regional tensions, affecting Israel’s relations with neighboring Arab states and the broader international community. It may shift the Gaza governance structure in a way that sidelines Palestinian factions, impacting future peace negotiations and potentially fueling further conflict. The lack of clear White House approval or intervention suggests the U.S. is exercising a policy of non-interference in operational decisions, which might influence global diplomatic responses and Israel’s international standing[1].
Meanwhile, France's President Emmanuel Macron and the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both stated they will recognize the Palestinian Authority if Israel does not change its position. Legal experts argue that any transfer would violate international law because Gaza is still considered controlled land, despite Israel's departure in 2005[1].
The International Court of Justice has classified East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank as controlled areas governed by the UN. Netanyahu has been told by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that he will be judged "by actions, not words." Some individuals in Israel have stated that the plan is not feasible, with a minister telling Haaretz that annexation is "not on the agenda."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in danger of losing his weak government, with ultra-Orthodox parties having quit. The global support for recognizing Palestine as a state is growing, with nine countries expected to recognize the Palestinian Authority before the UN General Assembly in September.
In a separate development, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Hamas to be destroyed, Gaza to be fully occupied, and many Palestinians to be forced to leave their homes. Avi Issacharoff, a security expert, described the threat as "one of the dumbest empty threats I've heard" and suggested it would cause a backlash worldwide without putting pressure on Hamas. The threat has been criticized as a political gamble by political expert Wissam Afifa.
[1] Source: Various news outlets and reports.
- The plan, approved by Israel's security cabinet, involving displacement of around 1 million Palestinians, raises concerns under international law about sovereignty, protected civilian rights, and potential accusations of forced displacement and occupation policies.
- The move to evict and displace a large civilian population could escalate regional tensions, impacting Israel’s relations with neighboring Arab states and the broader international community.
- In response to Israel's plan, France's President Emmanuel Macron and the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer have stated they will recognize the Palestinian Authority if Israel does not change its position. Legal experts argue that any transfer would violate international law.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza City and potentially the entire Gaza Strip is facing criticism both domestically and internationally, with ultra-Orthodox parties quitting his government and world support for recognizing Palestine as a state growing.
- The threat by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to destroy Hamas, fully occupy Gaza, and force many Palestinians to leave their homes has been criticized as a political gamble, potentially causing a backlash worldwide without putting pressure on Hamas.
