News|Israel-Palestine conflictAnalysis: How happy is Israel’s Netanyahu with Trump’s Gaza plan?Israeli PM Netanyahu says he’s accepted the proposal, but with far-right opposition, will he follow through with it?
On Mon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, indicated acceptance of a U.S.-proposed plan to address the conflict in Gaza. However, Netanyahu later clarified in Hebrew that he had not agreed to the…
On Mon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, indicated acceptance of a U.S.-proposed plan to address the conflict in Gaza. However, Netanyahu later clarified in Hebrew that he had not agreed to the establishment of a Palestinian state and that the Israeli military would remain in Gaza.
The 20-point plan introduced by President Trump aims to fulfill several objectives that Israel has previously outlined, including the return of Israeli captives, the dismantling of Hamas as a military and political entity, and the establishment of a temporary international administration in Gaza.
While the plan aligns with numerous Israeli objectives, it poses political challenges for Netanyahu, who faces internal opposition within his government. His reliance on support from far-right cabinet members, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, complicates the acceptance of the plan, as their support hinges on expanding military operations in Gaza.
Critics have suggested that Netanyahu may be seeking to extend the conflict to avoid legal repercussions related to his ongoing corruption trial or to prevent inquiries into his administration's actions leading up to the recent conflict.
President Donald Trump, indicated acceptance of a U.S.-proposed plan to address the conflict in Gaza.
Within Israel, there is significant opposition to the plan from far-right political factions. Finance Minister Smotrich has publicly denounced it as a diplomatic failure. Additionally, National Security Minister Ben-Gvir has expressed dissatisfaction, particularly concerning Netanyahu's apology to Qatar following an unprovoked attack on Hamas's negotiating team.
Analysts suggest that Netanyahu's political future may be at risk if he proceeds with the plan, as it could lead to a loss of support from his right-wing coalition. Furthermore, any move towards ending the conflict could isolate Netanyahu politically, with opposition and potential rivals seeking to capitalize on any perceived weakness.
Yossi Mekelberg from Chatham House has indicated that Netanyahu's primary concern is political survival, noting that he may attempt to delay the plan's implementation while escalating military actions in Gaza to shift focus away from the proposed agreement.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
