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Netanyahu considers annexing Gaza to save his government

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The Israeli prime minister is pushing a controversial plan to contain the radical right

TEL AVIV – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly ready to propose a plan to annex parts of the Gaza Strip in an attempt to keep his fragile coalition government afloat, which is under pressure after the ultra-Orthodox forces left. This is according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which reports that the move is aimed at retaining Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party.

The plan would include an ultimatum to Hamas: a few days to accept a ceasefire, after which Israel would begin the gradual annexation of areas of Gaza, starting with the buffer zone and the territories bordering Sderot and Ashkelon. According to Haaretz, the Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, has already presented the proposal to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, obtaining informal support despite the absence of President Donald Trump, who was visiting Scotland at the time.

Pressure from the radical right
Netanyahu is therefore considering the option despite his personal misgivings, in order to avoid a definitive crisis within the majority. Smotrich has reportedly said that he will evaluate the government “on the basis of its actions” and that he will remain in the executive “for the time being” if the plan is actually implemented.

“We are at war,” the minister is reported to have said, “and this is not the time for political considerations. We will be judged by the final result: whether Hamas is defeated or not”.

EU proposes partial sanctions
Meanwhile, the European Commission has proposed partially suspending Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe, the European research funding programme. In particular, the measure would affect Israeli companies participating in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, while leaving the participation of universities and researchers in collaborative projects intact.

Brussels justifies the decision on the grounds of non-compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which requires adherence to democratic principles and respect for human rights. The measure will be voted on in the Council by a qualified majority: Italy could play a decisive role, given that its opposition – together with that already expected from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany – would scupper the proposal.

Palestinian Authority ready to govern Gaza
During a UN conference dedicated to the two-state solution, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa reiterated that Hamas should release all hostages, relinquish control of Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Authority. Mustafa also stated that the PA is willing to cooperate with an international Arab force to stabilise the Strip after the conflict.

‘It is time to reunify Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, without occupation, siege or settlements,’ Mustafa said. ‘We are working for Palestinian independence and lasting peace, where Israel and Palestine can coexist side by side.’

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