Day 696 - Would Trump seriously consider Gaza relocation plan?

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Sep 1, 2025

Political correspondent Tal Schneider provides insights on Israel's security cabinet meetings, highlighting concerns over hostage negotiations and discussions about Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. He critiques President Trump's proposed plan for relocating Palestinians from Gaza as unrealistic. Meanwhile, reporter Sue Surkes sheds light on growing socio-economic gaps among Israeli schoolchildren, revealing financial struggles affecting their education and health. She also discusses the return of the Nahal military group to support agricultural communities.

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INSIGHT

Cabinet Focused On Gaza Over Hostages

The security cabinet held a long, low-leak meeting focusing on Gaza operations rather than hostage negotiations.
Ministers discussed plans already approved in early August and avoided debating the partial hostage deal.

INSIGHT

Internal Politics Shape Hostage Debate

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir asked to vote against a hostage deal, arguing for a stronger military operation.
That stance fuels families' distrust that the government prioritizes recovering hostages.

INSIGHT

Military Voices Split On Ceasefire Option

The IDF leadership is split: some favor a phased ceasefire to secure releases while others oppose halting operations.
Final authority rests with the security cabinet, which the military must follow.

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Political correspondent Tal Schneider and reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

The security cabinet met for some six hours on Sunday night, but didn't raise the current hostage deal during last night's lengthy meeting, according to Schneider. There was reportedly a discussion of extending Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank, as a possible response to the expected announcements of a Palestinian state later this month.

Schneider also mentions the disagreements among security officials regarding the planned military incursion in Gaza, pointing out that any final decision is by the security cabinet, and the military has to comply with their decision.

As President Trump reportedly considers a plan to evacuate Palestinians as part of a postwar Gaza plan, Schneider analyzes that it appears to be planned by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the organization handling the food distribution in the Gaza Strip. The plan includes having a portion of the population leave and setting up enclaves inside Gaza for those who remain, a plan that Schneider says seems far-fetched.

Two surveys issued in the run-up to the new school year highlight persistent socio-economic gaps between schoolchildren, says Surkes, pointing to a lack of funds in low-income families for afterschool activities and the struggle to afford certain kinds of healthier foods.

The legendary Nahal military group that once primarily served agricultural communities is returning to its roots, according to Surkes, with pre-army volunteers serving in the kibbutz communities along the Gaza and northern borders.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Security cabinet meets, reportedly discusses West Bank annexation but not hostage deal

Trump said weighing plan to pay Gazans to leave, put Strip under US-run trusteeship

As children go back to school, two reports detail vast socio-economic gaps

From Sept. 1, the storied Nahal military group will return to its agricultural roots

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Adina Karpuj.

IMAGE: Palestinians carry food parcels and supplies from a GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza, August 5, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90)

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