The decision of the government of Israel to take full control of Gaza City has led to concerns. As multiple sources including the BBC and CNN indicate, the Israeli Security Cabinet has approved a plan proposed by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, to take full control of the entire Gaza City, where Israeli attacks have been going on for around two years, though the time is not specified. Although many aspects of the controversial plan are not yet clear, it also includes the establishment of an alternative civilian administration with the “Arab Forces” in Gaza City, along with the demilitarization of it. But it remains unclear whether this plan is feasible and how much it will resolve the Gaza war.
The newly approved plan lacks legitimacy and there are several reasons — within and outside of Israel — that can make it infeasible in Gaza City, where around 750000 people live. The opposition within Israel, which currently controls 75 percent of Gaza, and the lack of support for this plan from Western countries are two crucial reasons. Pertinently saying, the plan has already been heavily opposed within the Security Cabinet of Israel, and there is opposition from the IDF and the families of hostages. Moreover, the leaders of several western countries including Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, which supported Israel for a long but has been considering the acknowledgement of Palestine as a separate and independent state, and Friedrich Merz of Germany, which has been one of the largest arms suppliers to Israel, have already opposed to the plan, which is yet be made clear on several aspects including the Arab Forces.
Though Israel has rejected criticism from world leaders, the plan can also be infeasible, difficult and undesirable because of several other reasons including the necessity of forcing Gazans from the city and the difficulty of arranging Arab forces countries including Jordan to take the administrative responsibility after full control of Gaza. Pertinently saying, Gazans have already expressed their unwillingness several times to leave their place. Consequently, the use of force by Israel is probably the only means of achieving such a goal. But this will rather lead to more avoidable deaths of civilian Gazans and the death of all hostages, along with further humanitarian crisis, even if Israel becomes successful in forcibly evicting Gazans from Gaza City.
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It is also difficult to be certain that Hamas will be completely disarmed and that there will be a permanent demilitarization, though these are claimed. The implementation of the plan in the war-torn and hunger-affected city can unsurprisingly benefit Hamas in the long run through several ways including by motivating many Gazans to join the group to take revenge against Israel with available means including militant-like attacks, which have long been visible in Iraq, Syria and several other countries. Moreover, the stateless situation, even though the ”Arab Forces” take administrative responsibilities, can also create an opportunity for Hamas to come back, indicating no notable and desirable changes in the long run too.
The more desirable resolution is probably a negotiation-based, full-fledged and independent states-based solution. Israel will probably be more secure with it, rather than any other solution to the long crisis, since it is a powerful country and has the capacity to deal with various security threats. A full-fledged state will not only help end Hamas but also establish political authority in Gaza including in Gaza City and lead to increased capacity to act responsibly. Without full-fledged and government military forces, preventing the rise of Hamas or Hamas-like organizations will remain difficult in the future too — increasing the chance of further conflicts.
Dhaka Opinion Magazine is definitely not against Israel’s reasoned concerns but unless a state-based solution is reached, there is actually no solution to the Gaza war. The positive side is that different Western countries are now seeking a state-based solution for lasting peace. Many within Israel are also seeking a lasting solution. This is probably the time to reach a state-based solution. But for this, the role of different countries and organizations including the United States is vital.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
