Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday unveiled his vision for a permanent post-war order in Gaza, which appears to continue to pit his government against the United States and much of the world over the future of the region. Here are some of the key ways in which Netanyahu’s proposal is at odds with what other governments want to see after the Gaza war ends:
Palestinian statehood
While the Biden administration and Arab countries call for the creation of two states with Gaza and the West Bank as part of a future Palestinian state, Netanyahu’s plans do not support this idea in the near future. Under the proposal, Israel would retain military control over all territory west of the Jordan River, including Gaza, making it virtually impossible for a sovereign Palestinian state to exist.
Gaza-Egypt border
Netanyahu’s plan includes closing the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent smuggling, with the support of the United States. However, it is unknown whether the Biden administration will agree to this, which could lead to a deterioration of relations with Egypt. The Egyptian government has already expressed concern over Israeli threats to send troops into the buffer zone between Gaza and the Sinai desert.
Buffer Zone
The proposal includes the creation of a “security space” on the Gaza-Israel border to prevent attacks like the one on October 7 that killed more than 1,200 people. Israeli forces have already begun demolishing homes and factories in the area, drawing criticism from the international community. The United States has opposed any permanent reduction of Gaza’s territory, but may support a temporary buffer zone to allow displaced Israelis to return.
Palestinian Authority
The Biden administration hopes that a revitalized Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas will take control of Gaza after Israel’s withdrawal. Netanyahu’s proposal, however, is to transfer administrative control to local actors not affiliated with terrorist organizations. This effectively excludes the Abbas government, which Netanyahu has previously criticized.
Also on Friday, Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken announced that the U.S. government has changed its position and now considers the construction of new Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories to be a violation of international law. This marks a departure from the policy pursued by the Trump administration and a return to the long-standing U.S. position on this controversial issue.
