Settlement revival? military entrenchment? What are Israel’s long term plans for Gaza?
Dec 6, 2024
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Avi Scharf, National Security and Open Source Intelligence Editor at Haaretz, discusses his investigation into Israel's military entrenchment in Gaza, revealing the establishment of bases and civilian displacement. Rachel Fink, a Haaretz staff writer, dives into the determined efforts of settler activists, particularly Daniella Weiss, to revive Jewish settlements in the region. The conversation highlights the intertwining of military strategies with political ambitions and the divided sentiments of the Israeli public regarding future settlement initiatives.
Israel is enhancing its military entrenchment in Gaza, establishing controlled zones and military installations indicating long-term intentions.
Settler movements, led by figures like Daniella Weiss, are pushing for a return to Gaza, intertwining their agenda with national security narratives and government support.
Deep dives
Israel's Long-Term Military Control in Gaza
Israel is establishing a significant military presence in Gaza, controlling approximately one-third of the area amid ongoing conflict. Evidence from satellite imagery indicates that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have created several zones of control, including buffer zones and key urban areas like Jebalia and Netzarim. These zones are characterized by military encampments and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, suggesting an intention to maintain long-term control rather than return to previous conditions. The IDF's strategy appears to be focused on clearing areas and reinforcing military bases, with operations centralizing around the Netzarim Corridor and Philadelphia quarter, highlighting Israel's commitment to prolonged engagement in the region.
The Resettlement Movement's Strategic Push
Settler leaders are publicly articulating their plans to return to Gaza, with a focus on normalizing their narrative as a means of garnering broader support. Influential figures like Daniela Weiss are guiding this movement, leveraging their connections within the Israeli government to further their agenda. The shift in discourse emphasizes security rather than religious claims, appealing to a broader audience by framing the return to Gaza as a necessary measure for national safety. Conferences hosted by settler leaders have increasingly seen significant participation from members of the Likud party, signaling a strategic convergence between the resettlement agenda and mainstream politics in Israel.
Political Ramifications of Settler Aspirations
The rise of the settler movement poses significant challenges to ongoing peace discussions and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Settler leaders openly assert that a return to Gaza is essential for security, indicating a willingness to disregard international criticism or calls for ceasefires. The political landscape is further complicated by the support these leaders receive from influential figures within the Israeli government, leading to a potential reshaping of Israel's military and civilian strategies in the region. Their consolidated power could enable the movement to implement their plans, potentially sidelining broader public opinion and diminishing prospects for conflict resolution.
The evidence is mounting that Israel is entrenching itself militarily in Gaza for the long term. At the same time, Israel’s settler movements and far-right government are making no secret of their concrete plans to revive the Jewish settlements in the Strip.
On the Haaretz Podcast. Avi Scharf, national security and open source intelligence editor at Haaretz reviews the findings of his investigation into the establishment of military installations and uprooting of Gaza civilians based on satellite imagery.
Haaretz staff writer Rachel Fink, also speaking on the podcast, talks about determined settler activists, led by veteran Daniella Weiss, who have partnered with their allies in the Netanyahu government to maximize the pressure on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enable them to realize their dream: resurrecting the settlements that were forcibly evacuated when Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005.