Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a news conference on September 2 to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza following an operation by Hamas on October 7. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu presented a plan for the future of Palestine that involved partitioning Gaza into three parts and annexing the occupied West Bank into Israel.
Netanyahu’s plan involved maintaining control over the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors, with a new corridor to be built between Rafah and Khan Younis also under Israeli control. He proposed that Israeli forces would dismantle tunnels and Hamas “nests” in the area north of Gaza City, prohibiting reconstruction and people from returning to their homes. Netanyahu justified the focus on the Philadelphi Corridor as a security measure to prevent smuggling by Hamas.
The plan has faced criticism for potentially derailing ceasefire negotiations and prolonging Netanyahu’s time in power to avoid dealing with corruption cases. The map presented by Netanyahu did not address aid distribution in Gaza, leading to concerns about humanitarian access. The proposed plan hinted at displacing over two million civilians in Gaza under the guise of security measures.
Despite international and internal pressure for a ceasefire, Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to one has raised questions about his intentions and motivations. The situation in Gaza remains tense, with protests in Israel against the prolonged conflict and uncertainty about the future of the region.
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