The evidence seems to show that this is not the case for the Israeli Prime Minister.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed frustration and called on Benjamin Netanyahu to “make a decision,” adding that he did not believe Israel’s involvement in Gaza should be unlimited.
Why do we need an “Israeli plan”?
Because Israel controls all aspects of Palestinian life, both in Gaza and in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which it occupies.
With each passing day, less and less of Gaza remains standing, raising increasingly pressing questions about how long the Israeli military can continue its brutal attacks. What does he plan to do once he tires of bombing and re-bombing the small besieged enclave?
On Saturday, army chief of staff Herzi Halevi castigated Netanyahu for the lack of political planning for a settlement after the end of the war.
“Until there is a diplomatic process to develop a governing body in the Gaza Strip other than Hamas (the Palestinian group), we will have to launch campaigns again and again… to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure.
“It will be a Sisyphean task,” he said, referring to the mythological tyrant Sisyphus, ruler of Ephyra, who was punished by the gods for spending eternity pushing a boulder up a hill only to be he goes back down.
So… Does Netanyahu have a plan?
On May 3, Netanyahu posted some post-war plans for Gaza online, and they were quite dramatic.
Under the plans, Palestinians in Gaza – of whom Israel has killed more than 35,000 people in this war so far – would enjoy unprecedented prosperity.
Massive investment has been planned, in free ports, solar energy, electric car manufacturing and people benefiting from the recently discovered gas fields in Gaza.
This would take place in three stages, from an unspecified “victory date” to 2035.
Palestinians in Gaza would lead the plan, overseen by a coalition of Arab states – named in the plan and in radio interviews with Netanyahu as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco .
Politically, once Gaza is “deradicalized” and the trauma of war is “forgotten”, it will join the occupied West Bank, currently under the nominal administration of the Palestinian Authority, and recognize Israel through the Abraham Accords .
Israel would retain the right to respond to anything it considers “security threats” from Gaza.
Once successful, the project – according to the Prime Minister’s Office – could be “rolled out across Syria, Yemen and Lebanon”.
Did anyone like it?
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan lashed out at Netanyahu on Sunday, saying Netanyahu had not consulted Abu Dhabi on his plans.
تستنكر دولة لإمارات العربية المتحدة تصريحات لي، بنيامين نتنياهو، حول دعوة الدولة للمشا ركة في إدارة مدنية لقطاع الغزة القابع تحت الاحتلال الإسرائيلي.
إذ تشدد دولة الإمارات بأن رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي لا يتمتع بأي صفة شرعية باتخاذ هذه الخطوة، كما ترفض…
– عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) May 10, 2024
Translation: The United Arab Emirates denounces statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on the State (UAE) to participate in the civil administration of the Gaza Strip, under Israeli occupation. The UAE emphasizes that the Israeli Prime Minister does not have the legal capacity to take this action and that the state refuses to be drawn into any plan to cover up the Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip. The United Arab Emirates affirms that when a Palestinian government is formed, meeting the hopes and aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people and enjoying integrity, competence and independence, the State will be fully prepared to provide all forms of support for this government.
Other countries have not yet commented. However, media reports indicate that Egypt, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates are considering US proposals to deploy some sort of peacekeeping force in Gaza, after Washington recognizes a Palestinian state.
Domestically, neither Gallant nor his war cabinet colleague Benny Gantz have been impressed by Netanyahu’s plan or his statements so far that discussions of the “day after” could not begin until “a complete defeat of Hamas”.
Their statements reflect frustration within Israel’s political leadership and may indicate some division.
Is Netanyahu’s plan really realistic?
On May 2, the United Nations estimated that the reconstruction of Gaza would constitute the largest post-war reconstruction effort since the end of World War II in 1945.
According to the United Nations Development Program, approximately 70 percent of all housing has been destroyed and, beyond the trauma suffered by the population of the enclave, a minimum of 40 to 50 billion dollars is needed for the rebuild.
No costing of Netanyahu’s plans has been established, making their assessment difficult.
Is this plan popular within the regular Israeli cabinet?
Not really.
Netanyahu oversees an undisciplined coalition cabinet rife with infighting and divisions, and not everyone is happy with their prime minister.
Some members are pushing for negotiations to ensure the safety of the remaining prisoners in Gaza, while others are calling for the occupation and destruction of the southern town of Rafah – which was the last town to be invaded by force. earthly – above all else, even the maintenance of government.
Is there another idea then?
On Tuesday, Netanyahu’s national security minister, far-right provocateur Itamar Ben-Gvir, attended a gathering of ultranationalist groups in Sderot, near Gaza.
“To end the (Gaza) problem, so that the problem does not return, we must do two things: First, return to Gaza now! Go home! Return to the Holy Land!
“And secondly, encouraging… the voluntary departure of Gaza residents… It’s ethical!” It’s rational! It’s correct! It’s the truth! This is the Torah and it is the only way! And yes, it’s human,” he said.
According to organizers, some 50,000 Israeli settlers and ultranationalists had gathered to hear Ben-Gvir and various hardliners, including some from Netanyahu’s Likud, talk about “voluntary migration” of Gaza’s population to is colonized by Israelis.
In January, Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, again with several members of the Likud party, participated in the far-right conference “Settlements Bring Security and Victory”, also with calls for the reconstruction of the illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza, withdrawn after 2005, and the “voluntary migration” of its population.
Now what?
Whatever “plan” Israel proposes for a “next day” scenario, none can be discussed or considered unless its government also clarifies what it considers to be a “victory” that would bring an end to the killings.
Until then, the war and Palestinian suffering are likely to continue endlessly.
