The Palestinian presidency has rejected Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for the future of Gaza, saying it continues Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the official Spokesman for the presidency, declared, “Gaza will only be part of the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
He asserted that any plans other than that are doomed to failure, and Israel will not succeed in its attempts to change the geographical reality.
He added that if “the world wants there to be security and stability in the region,” it must end the occupation and recognise an independent Palestinian state.
This was in response to a plan unveiled by Netanyahu for the future of Gaza after Israel’s war.
The plan envisions the installation of “local officials” with no links to countries or entities who support “terrorism” to administer the Palestinian enclave.
Once the war ends, Gaza will be run by “local officials” who are not tied to “countries or entities that support terrorism.”
It is unclear whether representatives of the Palestinian Authority will be involved.
As part of the plan, the Israeli army will maintain indefinitely the freedom to intervene in Gaza to prevent the resurgence of “terror activity.”
The plan also stated that Israel will continue to establish a security buffer zone on the Palestinian side of the Strip’s border that will remain in place “as long as there is a security need for it.”
Additionally, Netanyahu’s plan described the “complete demilitarisation” of Gaza “beyond what is required for the needs of maintaining public order.”
Israel will only allow the reconstruction of Gaza to begin after the completion of the Gaza’s de-militarisation and the commencement of a “de-radicalisation process in all religious, educational and welfare institutions in Gaza” with the involvement of “Arab countries that have experience in promoting de-radicalisation.”
The plan makes no mention of involvement from the Palestinian Authority, whom Netanyahu has previously said will not be part of a future post-war Gaza.
Moreover, the plan stipulated that Israel will enforce a “southern closure” on the border between Egypt and Gaza with assistance from the US and in cooperation with Egypt “as much as possible.”
“Israel will maintain security control “over the entire area west of Jordan” from the land, air and sea to “thwart threats” from the occupied West Bank,” it stated.
The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, will also be shut if Netanyahu’s plan is effected.
“Israel rejects any international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, which should only be reached through direct negotiations between the parties, and will continue to oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, which it views as a reward for terror.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Immediate Ceasefire, The “Common Wish” Of The International Community
Separately, China’s Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, said that a ceasefire in Gaza is an “urgent imperative to save innocent lives and to prevent a wider war.”
He criticised the U.S for exercising its veto on Wednesday on a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called on Washington to show a “responsible attitude” and “respect the established consensus”.
“An immediate ceasefire is the common wish voiced by the international community and the consensus of the council’s overwhelming majority,” he said.
According to the Palestinian territory’s Health Ministry, almost 100 more Palestinians were killed and 132 injured by Israeli attacks on Gaza between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Johns Hopkins Centre for Humanitarian Health stated in a report that even if a ceasefire were declared immediately, a further 6,550 deaths could result due to the time required to “improve water, sanitation and shelter conditions, reduce malnutrition, and restore functioning healthcare services.”
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