Since Washington’s top diplomat was in Saudi Arabia to push the plan, which Arab states opposed, Netanyahu has declared he is “committed” to the United States’ proposal to occupy the Gaza Strip and relocate its Palestinian residents.
Netanyahu pledged to support US President Trump’s plan to establish a different Gaza in a statement released on Monday.
At the conclusion of the 15-month conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 48, 000 Palestinians and caused a severe humanitarian crisis, the Israeli leader added that “neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority” would rule the enclave.
Netanyahu’s remarks come a day after he hailed “Trump’s bold vision for Gaza’s future” during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem.
The Trump administration’s attempts to occupy Gaza and forcefully relocate Palestinians are condemned by human rights organizations as violating international law and causing ethnic cleansing.
Arab nations have also criticized the proposal, but it is expected to be on Rubio’s agenda this week during his visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Rubio on Monday in Riyadh, making it the top US diplomat’s most recent stop in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia is leading Arab efforts to come up with a plan to stop Hamas from attacking the Gaza Strip that may include a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and a deal.
Any Palestinians who attempt to relocate from their land are deposed by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
Rubio asserted in a recent interview that the US was still open to alternatives from Arab governments, but that for the time being, “the Trump plan is the only plan.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet was expected to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire on Monday.
There is still not a consensus on the second phase, which will see Hamas release dozens of captives in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Far-right members of the Israeli government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have said they would quit Netanyahu’s coalition if the war does not resume.
19 Israelis who were held hostage have been freed so far as part of the first stage of the ceasefire agreement, which started on January 19. At this point, 33 captives are expected to be released on staggered intervals.
If all captives aren’t freed, Netanyahu has declared that “the gates of hell will be opened” on Gaza.
Nour Odeh, a journalist from Amman, Jordan, reported on the Israeli premier’s report that relatives and supporters of the prisoners held in Gaza have been protesting for ever.
The Israeli prime minister has been accused of trying to stall negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza, of trying to avoid phase two, partly because he is attempting to keep his coalition partners content, Odeh said.
The Trump administration’s top officials have also urged the transaction to proceed.
Trump “wants to see” the second stage of the agreement, according to US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, who stated on Sunday that it is “absolutely going to begin.”
“We are not leaving anybody behind”, he said, referring to the remaining captives.
Meron Rapoport, an editor for Israeli news outlet Local Call, said that while Netanyahu’s government has little desire to move to the second stage of the ceasefire, it is being pressured on two fronts.
Rapoport from Tel Aviv told Al Jazeera that “Netanyahu is seeing in Trump’s plan the fulfillment of the dream to leave Gaza for Palestinians.”
“He is] being pressured by the US and the hostage’s families, who have not yet been released, to enter the second stage at the same time.”
The second stage of the agreement, he added, “would lead to the end of the war” and the possibility of Marwan Barghouti’s release as prominent Palestinian political prisoners.
Source: Aljazeera
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