Israel returns to northern Gaza – experts say possible reoccupation – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

– Israel has no plans to hand over the region to the Palestinians again, says Gideon Levy. He is a commentator in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. About 5,000 Hamas fighters are said to have reorganized in northern Gaza, according to the Israeli military. On Sunday, October 6, the IDF entered with tanks to fight them again.

At the same time, Israeli forces ordered Palestinian civilians to leave the northern Gaza Strip.

– I am absolutely certain that they will not withdraw from northern Gaza. And if the IDF stays there, they don't want civilians in the area, Levy says by phone from Israel.

In 1967 Israeli forces entered Gaza and occupied the entire 40-kilometre coastal strip. Israeli settlers established a total of 21 settlements spread throughout the Gaza Strip. A maximum of 7,000 to 8,000 settlers live in Gaza, protected by up to 20,000 Israeli soldiers.

After many years of clashes between settlers and Palestinians, then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon withdrew Israeli settlements. The cost of occupying lands inside the Gaza Strip has become very high, both politically and militarily.

He uses a mini-plan to “clean up” northern Gaza

In September, retired Israeli army Major General Giora Eiland launched a plan to remove all Palestinians from northern Gaza to the south. He stated in a television campaign that the area should be turned into a “closed military zone.” Here the IDF will be able to fight the remaining 5,000 Hamas fighters.

Eiland believes that anyone who chooses to stay behind should be considered legitimate military targets.

According to what was published by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth AhronothThe IDF is now implementing a “miniature” version of the Island Plan in northern Gaza.

The question is what will happen if Israel once again fortifies itself in this region and deports all the Palestinians there.

Jürgen Genshaugen, a researcher at BRIO, takes a bleak view of the situation:

– The best scenario is that we return to what we were like before the war. But with stronger control over the Gaza Strip.

– The worst case is total displacement. That the complete demolition of Gaza be carried out. To expel the Palestinians, and then the people of Gaza will become refugees again. I think we have to be completely honest about the worst cases. It's really dark.

– They start with the synagogue

– They want to build a synagogue first. Then a little later a new synagogue. They have their ways and no one will stop them. I am sure they will not withdraw from northern Gaza. Unless they are threatened. Levy says this tactic has support in Netanyahu's government.

He believes that even if the United States objects to Israel's reoccupation of Gaza, there is no indication that the United States will back down.

Recognizing Israel after a year of war means that it can ignore the American administration. The United States clearly said that Israel should not invade Rafah, but Israel ignored this. However, the United States maintained the diplomatic umbrella covering Israel and continued to send weapons.

– The only arena in which the United States remains relevant is when it comes to Iran. Levy concludes that the Israelis need the United States there much more.

The Israeli embassy did not respond to NRK’s inquiry about this matter.