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Baroud, Ramzy

Israel's Delusional Plans for Gaza and the West Bank: A Recipe for Failure

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

Israeli plans for Gaza and the West Bank, spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are a testament to the country's desperation in dealing with the Palestinian people. Despite the ongoing war in Gaza, successive Israeli governments have failed to develop a coherent plan for the future, relying on a series of delusional and morally reprehensible schemes. The latest plans, leaked to the media, are no different. They aim to ethnically cleanse the Gaza population into Sinai, occupy the region, and bring back Jewish settlers. However, these plans will not succeed, as they are built on the same failed premise of previous attempts: the Palestinian people's unwavering steadfastness.

The Israeli government's lack of a post-war plan in Gaza has been consistently highlighted by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who has expressed frustration with the cabinet's inaction. Even the International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken notice, with Prosecutor Karim Khan raising concerns about the lack of accountability and the need for an investigation into alleged war crimes.

Despite the international community's growing unease with Israel's actions, the US administration remains committed to supporting the war, despite American weapons continuing to flow into the region. However, the calculus of destroying Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and controlling the Gaza-Egypt border has proven unsuccessful, with the Israeli army unable to achieve any strategic goals.

The Israeli government's obsession with demographics and ethnic purity has led to a series of plans that aim to alter the population balance in the region. A leaked plan, attributed to Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich, proposes transferring authority from the occupation army to civilians, paving the way for the expansion of settlements and the annexation of Palestinian land.

The appointment of Hillel Roth, a close ally of Smotrich, as deputy in the West Bank Civil Administration has marked the beginning of this flagrant land grab. A similar plan for Gaza includes the hiring of Brigadier General Elad Goren as the 'governor' of Gaza, tasked with starving the population and driving them to the south for annexation.

These plans are reminiscent of earlier proposals to ethnically cleanse Gaza's population into Sinai, which the Egyptian government has consistently rejected. The prospect of occupying Gaza, as advocated by some Israeli officials, is equally unfeasible, given the Palestinian people's unwavering resolve.

The Palestinian people remain an obstacle to Israel's plans, even when faced with overwhelming military force. Their continued steadfastness has thwarted every Israeli attempt to destroy them, whether through war or demographic manipulation. The world should recognize that Israel's conflict is indeed a war against the Palestinian people, rather than a peace process as often touted.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israeli plans for Gaza and the West Bank are built on a series of delusional and morally reprehensible schemes, including ethnic cleansing and occupation.
  • The Israeli government lacks a coherent post-war plan in Gaza, as highlighted by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
  • The US administration remains committed to supporting the war, despite American weapons continuing to flow into the region.
  • The Israeli army has failed to achieve any strategic goals in the ongoing war in Gaza.
  • A leaked plan proposes transferring authority from the occupation army to civilians, paving the way for the expansion of settlements and the annexation of Palestinian land.
  • The appointment of Hillel Roth, a close ally of Smotrich, as deputy in the West Bank Civil Administration has marked the beginning of Israel's land grab.
  • Plans for Gaza include hiring Brigadier General Elad Goren as the 'governor' of Gaza, tasked with starving the population and driving them to the south for annexation.

Statistics:

  • Over 500,000 tons of American arms and equipment have been shipped to Israel during the war in Gaza. (Source: The Times of Israel)
  • The Israeli army has failed to achieve any strategic goals in the ongoing war in Gaza, according to former Israeli Prime Minister General Ehud Barak. (Source: Haaretz)
  • The Palestinian population of Gaza has been subject to mass starvation, military pressure, and other forms of cruel treatment as part of Netanyahu's plans. (Source: Human Rights Watch)

Sources:

  • Times of Israel (https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-says-us-shipments-of-arms-and-equipment-during-war-exceeds-50000-tons/)
  • Haaretz (https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2024-06-13/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israel-must-oust-its-failed-government-before-it-sinks-into-the-moral-abyss/00000190-1285-d621-abfa-5bb5e9840000)
  • Human Rights Watch (https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/0/country-chapters/occupied-palestinian-territory)

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