Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel's rejection of a 15-point plan for the Gaza Strip, explicitly stating his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Speaking in a Sunday afternoon cabinet meeting, Netanyahu asserted, "Israel rejects the 15-point Gaza document proposed by the Board of Peace." This rejection comes as the occupied territory faces immense humanitarian needs.
Netanyahu made his stance on Palestinian self-determination clear. "As long as I am prime minister, there will be no Palestinian state, not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria," he stated, referring to the occupied West Bank. He dismissed the prospect of either a 'Fatahstan' or 'Hamastan,' reinforcing Israel's long-standing policy of denying Palestinian sovereignty.
Cementing Occupation
The Israeli Prime Minister also reiterated that the IDF would not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." He emphasized that this meant the disarmament of "heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons, all the weapons." Israel is currently engaged in talks with the United States regarding this disarmament, highlighting Washington's ongoing complicity in the military occupation.
Netanyahu also acknowledged recent "forceful" Israeli activity in Lebanon. He stated that Israel had eliminated "terrorists" in the Ali Taher Ridge but declined to elaborate, describing it only as "very important activity." This admission points to continued military aggression beyond the occupied Palestinian territories.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim responded to the Israeli position, telling Reuters that the resistance group expects mediators and the US to "press Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap." Naim confirmed Hamas's commitment to the roadmap agreed upon in Cairo, underscoring the diplomatic efforts to secure a path forward for Gaza.
Controlling Reconstruction
Despite the public rejection of the reconstruction plan, Army Radio reported earlier on Sunday that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz quietly approved new development and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip two weeks ago. This plan involves building new living spaces for Palestinians east of Rafah, within the Yellow Line. Crucially, these new spaces are intended for Palestinians "outside of Hamas' control," a clear attempt at demographic engineering and further fragmentation of Palestinian society.
Security sources indicated that Gazan Palestinian workers would be involved in this construction. However, these workers are subject to background checks by the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency. This requirement imposes a layer of surveillance and control over Palestinians seeking to rebuild their own communities, even within their besieged territory.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commended Netanyahu's statements, echoing the hardline stance. Smotrich stated that the objective of the war was the "destruction of Hamas militarily, civilly, and as a governing authority." He insisted that there could be "no Hamas in Gaza the day after," and that Gaza must not pose a threat to Israeli citizens. This framing justifies collective punishment and denies any political agency to the Palestinian people.
Smotrich further asserted that all reconstruction in Gaza would require complete Hamas disarmament. "The objective of the war to which we are committed is clear: a situation in which there is no Hamas in Gaza...we will not give up even a fraction of that objective," he said. This condition effectively holds Gaza's recovery hostage to Israel's military and political demands, ensuring continued suffering under occupation.