Israel's Gaza Conundrum: A Quandary without a Clear Solution

Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has signed off on a military plan to take over Gaza City, further complicating the prospect of Arab countries taking part in postwar governance. The Israeli prime minister's proposal excludes the Palestinian Authority, which Arab governments see as the main feasible alternative to Hamas. Netanyahu's government has vowed to topple Hamas after the October 2023 attacks, but nearly two years later, Israel has yet to decisively defeat the Palestinian militants.

Key Takeaways:

• The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan to seize Gaza City, despite objections from security chiefs who question the feasibility of the operation.
• The plan excludes the Palestinian Authority from administering postwar Gaza, contradicting Arab governments' preferences.
• Benjamin Netanyahu's government has vowed to topple Hamas after the October 2023 attacks, but nearly two years later, Israel has yet to decisively defeat the Palestinian militants.
• Arab countries have suggested playing a role in stabilizing Gaza, including backing an international security mission, but want the mission to ultimately hand control to the Palestinian Authority.
• Israel's cabinet has conditioned ending the war on establishing an administration "that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority."
• Hamas officials say they are willing to give up their rule in Gaza as part of a comprehensive deal, but insist on maintaining their military wing.
• The estimated cost of rebuilding Gaza is over $50 billion, and it is unclear whether Arab states will be willing to pay for it.
• Former Israeli intelligence officer Michael Milshtein notes that all available options are "bad" and occupation of Gaza would be a "catastrophe."

Statistics:

• 60,000 people have been killed in the nearly two-year war against Hamas, according to health officials in Gaza (1).
• The war has resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 1,200 hostages, with 250 still being held (1).
• Israel has razed much of Gaza during the war, leaving residents enduring widespread hunger due to Israeli restrictions on aid (1).
• The Arab nations' proposals in July called for an offramp initiative to provide both sides with a way out of the conflict (2).
• The estimated cost of rebuilding Gaza is over $50 billion (4).
• The Palestinian Authority administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 (3).
• The Palestinian Authority has a 89-year-old president, Mahmoud Abbas (3).

Sources:

• (1) The New York Times
• (2) Conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia
• (3) Palestinian Authority website
• (4) Middle East analyst Natan Sachs