DayofPal-Israel has put forward a proposal for re-occupying the Gaza Strip through managing aid distribution on Gazans in a way that would increase its military control over the enclave much more than before the war.
The plan, outlined by Israel’s military liaison unit, Cogat, was presented to the United Nations and aid organizations this week. It calls for aid to be distributed through tightly controlled Israeli “humanitarian hubs” located in areas under full Israeli army authority.
The proposal, which coincides with Netanyahu’s decision to block aid, will see all humanitarian aid would enter Gaza exclusively through the Kerem Shalom crossing, controlled by Israel, while the Rafah crossing with Egypt would be permanently shut, further lowering the number of aid trucks entering Gaza.
The plan raises concerns about violating the terms of the ceasefire on the table, and whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government intends to withdraw its forces from Gaza, as expected under a negotiated ceasefire.
In addition, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Gaza wouldn’t work freely or reach all people, and may banned if not go along with Israeli policies.
Instead, they need to be registered with Israel, and all staff from aid agencies, including the UN, would undergo Israeli monitoring., which raises concerns about the future of UNRWA, the UN’s primary relief agency in Gaza, which has been barred from operating by Israel.
Without access through Rafah, the agency could struggle to continue its mission, which provides critical assistance to hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.
Aid officials who attended the briefing said Israeli representatives presented the plan as a finalized framework, claiming it had full support from the United States, making it difficult for the UN to oppose.
Analysts believe the proposal appears to be a revival of Israel’s previously attempted “humanitarian bubble” strategy, which sought to establish controlled aid zones in northern Gaza. However, that earlier effort collapsed after local leaders refused to cooperate.
Israel responded with more crimes against starved people at Nabulsi roundabout, where 500 people were killed while waiting for flour trucks to enter northern Gaza Strip.
Israel’s proposal will undermine Arab States’ initiative about Gaza. The timing of Israel’s plan coincides with discussions among Arab nations about a separate $53 billion reconstruction initiative led by Egypt.
This proposal, endorsed by regional governments at a meeting in Saudi Arabia, envisions a multi-year rebuilding process with temporary housing for displaced Palestinians. The plan is set to be presented at an emergency Arab League summit in Cairo next week.
Some humanitarian workers view Israel’s proposal as an attempt to undermine the Arab-led initiative. Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, warned that the plan would extend the severe restrictions already imposed on aid deliveries.
While the ceasefire agreement had restored the prewar flow of 400 to 600 aid trucks per day, Shawa noted that essential supplies, including promised tents, remain insufficient, with children freezing to death.
UNRWA reported that six infants died this week due to exposure to sever cold. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have reportedly blocked the entry of all goods and humiliation aids entering Gaza as a punishment measure for Hamas after it rejected the extension of the first deal of ceasefire.
Hamas believes Israel will only extend the phase to secure more Israeli captives then resume the war without showing any commitment to compensation for violations of the humanitairian protocol.
“They want to control every aspect Of Palestinian life,” Shawa said.
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