Israel to take control of Gaza following security cabinet approval
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take full control of Gaza City has been approved by Israel’s security cabinet, in a bid to end the 22 month-long war.
The context: After a 10-hour meeting of the security cabinet, ministers voted in favour of the plan which involves the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) taking “control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones”, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
The plan outlines five principles aimed at “ending the war”. This includes disarmament of Hamas, return of all hostages living or dead, demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip and the existence of an alternative civilian government that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
The plan does not refer to Netahanyu's initial proposal to hand control of the region to an Arab government opposed to Hamas, as raised in a Fox News interview overnight.
What they said: Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong had earlier called on Israel “to not go down this path, which will only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”.
“Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international law. With international partners, Australia maintains our call for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and aid to flow unimpeded.
“A two-state solution is the only pathway to secure an enduring peace – a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.”
