What’s happening:
Israel is looking at potential measures to ease the conditions in Gaza following an intense period of conflict, with options exploring the return of displaced residents and the entry of humanitarian aid through various crossings.
Why it matters:
The considerations come as international calls for increased aid and access to Gaza grow louder. The discussion is set against the backdrop of a war that has created significant humanitarian challenges and strained relations with the global community. How Israel addresses these concerns could influence international support and the future stability of the region.
Up for discussion:
Sources suggest that as the intensity of fighting decreases, Israel may allow displaced residents from northern Gaza to return home. Additionally, Israel might permit aid to pass through the Erez Crossing and a fence opening near Kibbutz Be’eri, supplementing the main avenues of assistance through Egypt’s Rafah Crossing and Israel’s Kerem Shalom Crossing.
Current aid situation:
Before the recent escalation, about 500 aid trucks entered Gaza daily. However, due to the conflict, Israel initially halted aid, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to block resources from entering the Strip. Subsequently, the policy was revised, and currently, approximately 100 trucks of aid are allowed in per day.
International response:
The United Nations has criticized the present volume of aid as “woefully inadequate,” a sentiment echoed by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, who urges a significant increase in aid delivery.
Israel’s stance:
While facing criticism for the volume of aid, Israel contends that it could inspect and provide much more support than what is currently being offered by international agencies, implying a shortfall in UN-provided aid. Additionally, Israel has shown a willingness to expedite aid ship inspections in Cyprus as a direct route for assistance to Gaza.
Cabinet considerations:
The Israeli cabinet plans to review post-war governance in Gaza, debating proposals that challenge the transfer of control to the Palestinian Authority—a move supported by the United States but opposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing allies.
Potential temporary administration:
Security officials suggest that Palestinian clans could temporarily oversee various zones in Gaza, overseeing civil services and aid distribution as part of a provisional administrative arrangement. This proposal surfaces amidst discussions of possibly expelling the UN agency UNRWA from the Strip due to alleged cooperation with Hamas.
Background of the conflict:
Recent warfare erupted following a massive incursion by Hamas militants, resulting in high casualty numbers and significant international reproach towards Israel’s military response. Although Israel justified the offensive as a necessary measure to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities, the true impact of the conflict on Palestinian casualties, including the toll of misfired Palestinian rockets, remains a subject of contention.
Looking ahead:
The upcoming cabinet meeting will be pivotal in shaping Israel’s long-term strategy for Gaza and in determining the measures that will be implemented to address the immediate humanitarian needs, all while managing the political ramifications of the ongoing crisis.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.