World
October 23, 2024 11:50
tel aviv - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to annex Gaza as the US allows aid to enter the region to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Israel has allowed aid to enter Gaza under pressure from the US, raising concerns about the country's intentions. Some fear that the military operation may lead to a partial annexation of Gaza.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed during their meeting on Tuesday regarding the situation in northern Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister has been adamant that his government is not implementing a controversial plan that calls for Palestinian civilians to evacuate the area. Those who refuse to do so will be considered legitimate targets.
Despite Blinken's urging, Netanyahu has refused to publicly confirm whether he has activated the so-called 'general plan'. High-ranking US officials have experienced Netanyahu saying one thing to them only to do the opposite.
Netanyahu is primarily motivated to maintain his coalition and power position. Meanwhile, his coalition partners are increasingly pushing for the annexation of parts of Gaza, partly due to ideological and security concerns, and partly due to uncertainty about how to handle the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu rejects a role for the Palestinian Authority, which governs part of the West Bank, fearing that it would bring a Palestinian state closer. An earlier plan to empower local tribal leaders failed this year. Despite losses, including the recent death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas remains the most powerful Palestinian group in Gaza.
Israel is considering a new strategy to undermine the terrorist organization. Hamas gains income and controls the population by distributing aid. The government will decide soon whether to hire private security companies to help distribute aid, aiming to prevent the goods from falling into the hands of Hamas or criminals.
Israel is reluctant to deploy the military for this task, already engaged in conflicts on multiple fronts. Additionally, they want to avoid soldiers in Gaza becoming targets of attacks.
Netanyahu and Blinken discussed post-war plans for Gaza during the meeting. Netanyahu has remained vague on the issue for a year, insisting that annexation is not being considered. However, his coalition partners, as well as many members of his party, have a different view.
This week, they attended a conference on rebuilding Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. The controversial organizer of the two-day event, Danielle Weiss, expressed support for expanding Israel's borders, claiming it is crucial for security.
Amidst discussions, the Likud Minister for Social Equality, May Golan, and other politicians argued that colonizing Gaza is key for Israel's safety. They believe settlements are essential for security.
The country's prominent political commentator, Amit Segal, predicted changes to Gaza's borders if Donald Trump wins the upcoming US presidential elections. He described the current events in northern Gaza as unprecedented and potentially the beginning of more drastic actions.