Key Disputes in Gaza Negotiations Revealed: Israel Seeks to Solidify Control

In an exclusive report, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar delves into the contentious issues dominating the ceasefire negotiations between the resistance factions in Gaza and the Israeli occupation. The report indicates that Israel’s primary objective in these talks is to cement its control over the Gaza Strip.

According to well-informed sources, Israel’s demands concerning the situation at the Rafah crossing, as well as the Philadelphia and Netzarim corridors, are framed in a manner that hinders the possibility of reaching a concrete agreement anytime soon.

Sources who participated in the Cairo meetings revealed that the Israeli delegation informed mediators that it lacks the authority to make final decisions on any proposed terms, emphasizing that any conclusive decision will require consultation with Tel Aviv, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu making the ultimate call.

The report also highlights that media reports suggesting positive progress in the negotiations are part of an American effort to prevent further escalation in the region.

The most significant points of contention currently revolve around the Philadelphia corridor. Israel insists it is not prepared to fully evacuate the area but is open to creating a mechanism that allows for some distance from densely populated areas and human movement, provided that the details of operation and movement in the corridor and Rafah crossing are pre-arranged.

Israel is particularly focused on what it describes as “smuggling tunnels,” demanding the adoption of its proposals, which include the construction of a deep underground iron wall equipped with advanced technology to prevent the digging of new tunnels and the smuggling of weapons and fighters through Sinai. Israel also insists on collaborating with Egypt, as it does with Jordan, where it recently intercepted 600 weapons intended for smuggling into the West Bank.

Regarding the Rafah crossing, Israel is adamant about retaining control, even in the event of a ceasefire agreement. The Israeli delegation informed the United States and other mediators that they will not permit the crossing to be open to all, as it was in the past. They intend to limit its use to special cases, such as the transfer of patients who have received prior approval, a limited number of aid trucks, and technical inspection rounds at the crossing. The coordination between Cairo, Doha, and Abu Dhabi will be managed by Ghassan Alian, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

As for the Netzarim corridor, Israel considers its presence in the area vital for security reasons. This isn’t just about preventing Palestinian movement within the Gaza Strip but also ensuring the mobility of Israeli forces for sudden incursions. The plan includes establishing a mechanism for managing the area, setting up monitoring and inspection points on Al-Rashid and Salah Al-Din Streets, constructing observation towers manned by Israeli forces, and initially restricting movement to individual family members, excluding males aged 17 to 55. Vehicles will be prohibited from returning, and a system will be developed to inspect those returning, including women.

Israel continues to reject any comprehensive role for the United Nations in managing humanitarian affairs in Gaza, stating that the involvement of Palestinian Authority (PA) civilian or military teams remains contingent on commitments from the PA, guaranteed by Arab and international entities. The Israeli regime has been openly critical of certain UN branches, accusing them of being utilized by Hamas in Gaza and other areas. Sources also disclosed that American and Emirati efforts to include UN representatives in detailed negotiations have so far been unsuccessful.

The report further reveals that the UN Coordinator in the West Bank, Jordanian Muhannad Hadi, attempted to secure an invitation to participate in the ceasefire negotiations. However, there appears to be confusion over who specifically rejected his involvement. Meanwhile, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, and the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, continue to push for a more significant role for the international organization in the Gaza Strip.

On another front, it has been revealed that Israeli forces have established a joint working group among relevant ministries concerning what they refer to as the “de-radicalization” of Gaza. Israel is pushing for this issue to be explicitly addressed in official positions and statements, and even in the educational curricula of any future authority in Gaza. Moreover, Israel is exerting intense pressure to eliminate any presence of the UNRWA as part of its long-term objectives.

Regarding humanitarian aid, the UN has informed mediators that Israel’s agreement to allow 700 daily trucks into Gaza is more of a public relations move, as Israel knows that the distribution of such aid requires work teams that are currently unavailable in Gaza. Israel wants to appear willing to facilitate aid, while in reality, it blocks the presence of the necessary organizations to manage such a large-scale operation.

American sources refer to the areas where humanitarian services would be provided as “bubbles,” envisioning the creation of a transitional government body to replace Hamas in these zones. The plan involves coordinating with Israel and officials in Ramallah to train military groups responsible for security in these proposed areas in northern Gaza.

Additionally, the Palestinian Authority is continually pushing to play a more active role in coordinating humanitarian aid programs in Gaza. The PA argues that this would enable it to establish a better rapport with the population and build a foundation for greater public acceptance in the “day after” scenario, as they describe it.