"Danger of another October 7": Discussion on the sensitive clause in the Trump plan and pressure on Netanyahu
Ministers and the Prime Minister, who will meet with President Trump this week, are set to discuss reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Residents of the border region warn of the dangers, while the Nachala movement labels the proposal a "surrender to the enemy."
The cabinet is expected to discuss today, Sunday, the Peace Council's proposal to advance President Donald Trump's 20-point plan via Clause 17 — the establishment of humanitarian zones without Hamas rule and the entry of multinational forces into the Gaza Strip. This comes just before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to the USA, where he is expected to meet with Donald Trump this week.
As revealed, the Peace Council has already prepared the infrastructure for the start of localized reconstruction work in areas free of Hamas, with the goal of severing Hamas's control over the population. However, residents of the Gaza envelope fear that as long as Hamas remains in power, this serves as a roundabout way to begin reconstruction while Hamas still holds its weapons, contrary to past cabinet decisions.
Last Tuesday, Peace Council member on behalf of the American administration, Aryeh Leiston, met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in his office to discuss the agenda in Gaza. This is another in a series of meetings between the two regarding Gaza, against the backdrop of Hamas's refusal to accept disarmament proposals.
Meanwhile, the Peace Council has continued preparations for temporary reconstruction work in defined humanitarian zones. Among other things, logistical warehouses were rented to transfer aid without using UN organizations, and a semi-military camp was established on the border to house the multinational forces that will operate in the designated areas.
The cabinet, which will convene shortly, is expected to discuss the proposal formulated by the Peace Council, though ministers were not briefed on its content prior to the meeting.
The 'Otef Israel' forum responded to the publication:
"We reiterate and warn that Clause 17 of the agreement is a dangerous clause that allows for the entry of international forces for the reconstruction of Gaza before the disarmament of Hamas. The State of Israel must come to its senses and oppose Clause 17 across the board, rather than accepting parts of it and implementing it by stealth. The reconstruction of Gaza, even in stages before the disarmament of Hamas, is dangerous for the residents of the envelope and will necessarily lead to the strengthening of Hamas on the ground."
"A result of the Arabs raising their heads"
The 'Nachala' movement, which calls for settlement in the Gaza Strip, turned this morning in a letter to the Prime Minister, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, warning against the entry of multinational forces:
"We are turning to you urgently ahead of your trip to the USA. The establishment of a multinational force in Gaza is a dangerous surrender that means the return of Hamas rule, terror, and October 7th, God forbid. There is a direct link between the surrender to Trump in Gaza and the blocking of a proper Zionist response by establishing settlements after the disaster at Havat Gilad and other disasters that are a result of the Arabs raising their heads. The public will not back surrender to the enemy on any front. In Gaza, national forces are required now, not multinational ones. The Zionist answer to an enemy has always been settlement. The era of concessions to the enemy is over."
