Palestinian exodus from Gaza the only viable plan: Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has signalled he is pushing ahead with Donald Trump’s proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Picture: AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled he was pushing ahead with 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 next 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 has said all emigration from Gaza should be “voluntary”, but rights groups and other critics say that the plan amounts to coercion given the territory’s vast destruction.

The Prime Minister said he and Mr Trump had a “common strategy” for Gaza. Echoing the President, he said “the gates of hell would be open” if Hamas did 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 (Monday AEDT) 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 has signalled readiness to resume the fighting after the ceasefire’s current phase, though it could be a death sentence for remaining hostages.

Mr Rubio said peace would be impossible as long as Hamas “stands as a force that can govern or as a force that can administer or as a force that can threaten by use of violence”, adding, “It must be eradicated.”

Hamas reasserted control over Gaza when the ceasefire began last month, despite suffering heavy losses.

Mr Netanyahu has offered Hamas a chance to surrender and send leaders into exile, but Hamas has rejected that scenario and insists on Palestinian rule.

Mr Rubio last week indicated that Mr Trump’s Gaza proposal was in part aimed at pressuring Arab states to make their own post-war plan that would be ­acceptable to Israel. He also ­appeared to suggest Arab countries send troops to fight Hamas.

“If the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great,” Mr Rubio said.

But “Hamas has guns”, he added. “Someone has to confront those guys. It’s not going to be American soldiers. And if the countries in the region can’t figure that piece out, then Israel is going to have to do it.”

Mr Rubio is not scheduled to meet Palestinians on his trip.

For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or battling Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel are nightmare scenarios that would bring fierce domestic criticism and potentially destabilise an already volatile region.

Egypt hosts an Arab summit on February 27 and is working with other countries on a counter-proposal that would allow for Gaza’s rebuilding without removing its population. Human rights groups say the expulsion of Palestinians would likely violate international law. Egypt has warned that any mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza would undermine its nearly half-century peace ­treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of US influence in the region.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia also have rejected any mass displacement of Palestinians.

AP