Netanyahu suggests backing for Trump’s plan to move Palestinians out of Gaza
The Israeli Prime Minister said the idea was ‘the only viable plan to enable a different future’ for the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday signalled that he was moving ahead with US President Donald Trump’s proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza, calling it “the only viable plan to enable a different future” for the region.
Mr Netanyahu discussed the plan with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who kicked off a Middle East visit by endorsing Israel’s war aims in Gaza, saying Hamas “must be eradicated”.
That created further doubt around the shaky ceasefire as talks on its second phase are yet to begin.
Mr Rubio, in his upcoming stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is likely to face more pushback from Arab leaders over Mr Trump’s proposal, which includes redeveloping Gaza under US ownership.
Mr Netanyahu said he and Mr Trump have a “common strategy” for Gaza.
Echoing Mr Trump, he said “the gates of hell would be open” if Hamas does not release dozens of remaining hostages abducted in the militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, that triggered the 16-month war.
The ceasefire’s first phase ends in two weeks.
Negotiations were meant to begin two weeks ago on the second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Mr Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, told Fox News that “phase two is absolutely going to begin” and he had “very productive” calls on Sunday with Mr Netanyahu and officials from Egypt and Qatar, which serve as mediators, about continuing talks this week.
He also said hostages to be released include 19 Israeli soldiers and “we believe all of them are alive”.
Mr Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s security Cabinet would meet Monday to discuss the second phase.
In another sign of closing ranks, Israel’s defence ministry said it received a shipment of 900-kilo MK-84 munitions from the United States.
The Biden administration paused a shipment of such bombs last year over concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza.
