Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled his inaugural blueprint for the post-war trajectory of the Gaza Strip. The plan advocates for the continuous presence of the Israeli military in the enclave and the maintenance of a security buffer zone—a stance contrary to the preferences of closely-aligned Washington.
Netanyahu observes as US Secretary of State speaks to the media at The Kirya in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023, expressing solidarity after Hamas's recent attack. Blinken is set to meet Netanyahu as Washington supports Israel's air campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Credit - Getty Images
In a sparsely detailed document released overnight and translated by NBC News, Netanyahu articulates immediate goals, including the demilitarization of Hamas, the eradication of its governance, and the rescue of Israeli hostages held since the October 7 terror attacks. In the medium term, Israel aims to preserve operational freedom throughout Gaza without a specified time limit, along with the retention of a security buffer within the besieged region. The document emphasizes that the security perimeter on the Gaza-Israel border will endure as long as a security need exists.
The U.S., a steadfast supporter of Israel's right to self-defense and a key weapons supplier throughout the conflict, has previously rejected the prospect of reoccupying the Gaza Strip or reducing its size. State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller stated unequivocally in December that any proposed buffer zone within Gaza would violate the principle of maintaining Gaza's size.
Israel also seeks a "southern lock" on the border between the Gaza enclave and Egypt, the only stretch of land not controlled by Israel, to prevent the rearmament of "terrorist factors" among Palestinians. The proposal envisions a completely demilitarized strip, except for what is necessary to maintain civil order.
Notably absent from the proposal is any mention of the Palestinian Authority, expelled after a 2007 Hamas takeover. Netanyahu's plan suggests local administration in Gaza by individuals not affiliated with states or organizations supporting terrorism. Additionally, Israeli involvement in civilian matters, including education and religion in the predominantly Sunni Muslim territory, is advocated. Reconstruction efforts are conditioned on achieving "de-radicalization" and demilitarization objectives.
The document calls for the closure of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), alleging some of its members were involved in the October 7 terror offensive. The UN is investigating these claims, and following the suspension of funding by several donor countries, UNRWA faces the prospect of ceasing operations by early March.
It remains unclear whether the document, lacking in detail, has been presented for a vote by Netanyahu's war cabinet. The proposal seeks to appeal to the prime minister's far-right domestic support base but underscores internal conflicts within his administration. While Netanyahu has stated no plans to reoccupy or deport civilians from Gaza, some far-right government members, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, advocate population ejection.
The document risks further straining relations with Washington, which has supported Israel amid scrutiny in the International Court of Justice on genocide charges levied by South Africa. The White House has long envisioned a two-state resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict, aiming for independent Israeli and Palestinian states led by the Palestinian Authority, with security guarantees for Israel. Washington has also actively pursued normalization of relations between Israel and Middle Eastern countries, recently seeking reconciliation with regional ally Saudi Arabia.
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