What’s new:

A secretive initiative has surfaced pointing to Israel’s intentions to establish a military government in Gaza, followed by the formation of an independent Palestinian entity and fostering peace with regional Arab partners, including Saudi Arabia. This strategic operation seeks long-term stability and a potential two-state solution.

Why it matters:

The revelation of this plan details Israel’s political maneuver to control the governance transition of Gaza from Hamas to a new Palestinian Authority. It would position Israel to unilaterally advance their goals amidst the broader context of Middle East diplomacy and locally amidst Palestinian society and governance. Furthermore, there is anticipation surrounding the pursuit of landmark peace agreements with Saudi Arabia, redefining Israel’s regional diplomacy.

The big picture:

Architects behind this plan—a group of businessmen, some closely linked to Prime Minister Netanyahu—are facilitating this comprehensive strategy while remaining discreet. As such, the plan supports American-led peace efforts in the region and Israel’s broader “day after” strategic preparedness, influenced by Netanyahu’s classic hands-off approach towards sensitive diplomatic operations.

Stage-wise breakdown:

• Stage One: Install a transitional Israeli military governance in Gaza to manage humanitarian affairs and local civilian needs.
• Stage Two: Convene an international Arab coalition, pulling in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other nations, fostering support for the prospective autonomous Palestinian entity within a regional normalization framework.

The Road to Statehood:

Should these stages successfully transition control and establish the “new Palestinian Authority,” deeper reforms are expected within the Palestinian civil and security apparatus. These reforms could lead to Israel recognizing a formal Palestinian state, setting the stage for a historic progression towards a viable two-state discourse.

Leadership’s Lens:

While Netanyahu allows businessmen to placed strategically at the forefront of the negotiations, this maintains his historical tendencies to engage in layered talks with plausible deniability and strategic withdrawal capabilities. This path would enable a dramatic policy shift should he resolve to definitively address the enduring peace and statehood issues that Israel faces regarding the Palestinians and wider Arab relations.

The takeaways:

If successful, Netanyahu’s indirect approach could potentially transmute his current fraught legacy, which includes the recent October 7 massacre – a devastating event in Israeli history. Seizing this bold move may offer Netanyahu what every leader seeks: a lasting impact, intrinsic in both strategic political standing and historical significance.

This story was first published on jpost.com.