Tensions soaring in Israeli cabinet over 'the day after' in Gaza
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The Israeli occupation's authorities are embattled by discussions and disagreements regarding what should be done about Gaza after the declared goals of the invasions are over.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the "Kirya" military base in 'Tel Aviv', occupied Palestine, December 31, 2023 (AP)
Discussions surrounding the recently unveiled plan for "the day after" have sparked significant tensions between key figures in the Israeli government Israeli KAN political affairs correspondent Mikhail Shemesh said on Thursday.
The focal point of contention revolves around the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Benny Gantz. The plan in question, announced earlier in the evening, has become a source of heightened sensitivity within the cabinet.
Shemesh highlighted the pivotal moment when Suleiman, a fellow KAN political affairs correspondent, reported the details of the security apparatus' plan for "the day after" at the beginning of the news bulletin. Notably, the plan was made public before discussions unfolded in both the war cabinet and the expanded cabinet, adding an additional layer of complexity to the situation.
According to an official within the war cabinet, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the presentation released to the media by Gantz was merely a proposal. The official emphasized that crucial decisions regarding the plan would be made exclusively within the political-security cabinet, dismissing any influence from external media sources.
Despite the tension, the ongoing criticism and discussions serve the interests of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He consistently reassures key figures, such as far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, emphasizing that decisions will be made solely within the expanded cabinet where they hold seats.
Netanyahu seeks to assure his allies
Netanyahu staunchly rejects the idea of decisions being influenced by a downsized cabinet or any other external forums to serve his allies that helped him obtain his seat as Prime Minister despite his and his political party's growing unpopularity
The release of information to the public is seen as a strategic move, likely intended to assure key figures within the government, including Smotrich and Ben Gvir, that a comprehensive and well-prepared plan will be in place following the cabinet's discussions.
Recently emerging reports underscored that due to pressure from coalition partners, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a "day after war" meeting for the Israeli war cabinet regarding the Gaza Strip despite having called for it initially.
Channel 12 reported that the meeting was canceled at the last minute after Netanyahu made the decision not to discuss the potential Israeli plans for Gaza with the cabinet.
According to the report, two sources said that Netanyahu's coalition partners believed that the government exerted "significant pressure" to cancel the meeting.
Prior to that report, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the meeting was intended to take place despite opposition from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who cited "the council's lack of jurisdiction," as a reason for refusal.
It is worth noting that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are not members of the occupation's war cabinet, and have threatened on several occasions to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition government if the war on Gaza is brought to a halt before "Israel" achieves its goals to "destroy Hamas" and free the captives.
Further displacement of Palestinians
Meanwhile, a disturbing report published by the Times of Israel on Tuesday said Israeli officials have held talks with several countries regarding the potential absorption of displaced Palestinians.
This suggests that residents of the embattled Strip may not be granted the right of return once the Israeli aggression comes to an end.
According to the report, the coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently engaged in talks with Congo and several other countries for the potential resettlement of thousands of displaced Palestinians from Gaza.
"Congo will be willing to take in migrants, and we’re in talks with others," a senior source in the security cabinet said.
During a Likud meeting last Monday, Netanyahu stated that he is actively involved in facilitating the expulsion of Palestinians to other countries.
"Our problem is [finding] countries that are willing to absorb Gazans, and we are working on it," he said in response to a question posed by Likud MK Danny Danon, who said that "the world is already discussing the possibilities of voluntary immigration," a highly controversial idea considering the violation of Palestinians' human rights.
