Netanyahu orders army to prepare to distribute humanitarian aid to Gaza, instead of international agencies, Israeli media reports
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fueled concerns about a possible reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and a return to military rule, a major shift from the 2005 withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave.
These concerns have been heightened by Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining control of the Philadelphia Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border and his order to the military to prepare to distribute humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, humanitarian aid has been distributed by the UN and international organizations amid a famine in the region caused by Israel’s attack and long-year blockade.
During the first months of the war, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly asserted that Israel would not reoccupy Gaza, rebuild settlements there or reimpose the blockade.
That claim, however, contradicts Netanyahu’s refusal to propose a post-war plan for Gaza, his insistence on maintaining an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphia Corridor, and his order for the military to prepare to distribute humanitarian aid, which which essentially means staying in Gaza.
Military rule
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu instructed the military to prepare to distribute humanitarian aid to Gaza, instead of international organizations on the ground.
The military “has expressed its concerns about the idea, which is intended to reduce international pressure against Israel,” the paper said.
The newspaper reported that Netanyahu’s office has considered a number of options in recent months to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
One of the possible solutions was “to appoint a general to take charge of the humanitarian issue in Gaza for the distribution of humanitarian aid. Either way, this is a very complicated decision and not necessarily workable,” he added.
The appointment of a general to oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza “means that Israel’s responsibility in the Gaza Strip will continue and perhaps expand in the coming years,” the newspaper commented.
According to the Israeli newspaper, Brigadier General Elad Goren will handle day-to-day tactical issues such as delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, repairing local infrastructure damaged in the war and maintaining contact with international organizations.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported Tuesday night that Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphia Corridor “could lead to Israel’s real plan for Gaza, which is a return to military rule.”
The channel explained that “in recent discussions, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi opposed the distribution of aid by soldiers, claiming that it endangers our forces for no reason and therefore the army should not be involved in the distribution of aid, as international organizations they are responsible for it.”
He also cited additional challenges, including that “military control of the Philadelphia Corridor raises an issue of international law, as control of the corridor is actually Gaza’s responsibility, which is important.”
Ceasefire talks
The Israeli military estimates that military rule in Gaza would cost about 40 billion shekels ($10.7 billion) a year.
“We will abide by any decision made by the political leadership,” the Israeli military said.
Netanyahu has previously stated on several occasions that he opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza or the continued presence of Hamas.
He has also argued that maintaining control of the Philadelphia Corridor is vital to Israel’s security.
Netanyahu’s tough stance on the corridor is seen by opposition leaders and the families of Israeli hostages in Gaza as an obstacle to efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap deal with Hamas.
For months, the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas to secure a prisoner exchange and cease-fire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, mediation efforts have stalled due to Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands for an end to the war.
Israel’s ongoing war in the Gaza Strip has killed nearly 40,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 94,300 others, according to local health authorities.
The continued blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the area in ruins.
Israel faces charges of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.
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