Israel has presented a plan to the UN and aid organizations for governing Gaza, which includes tighter control over the territory than before, casting doubt on whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government intends to carry out a military withdrawal. The plan involves distributing aid through tightly managed logistics hubs to vetted Palestinian recipients.
A similar scheme tried in northern Gaza more than a year ago was revived by Israel at a time when negotiations are underway for a potential second phase of the January ceasefire agreement. However, this new plan would involve a tightening of Israel’s grip on day-to-day life in Gaza, with private security contractors securing some hubs and all aid entering through an Israeli crossing.
The plan has sparked concerns among humanitarian officials, who say it could make operating in Gaza impossible for the UN relief agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which has been banned by Israel. Aid sources claim that Israeli officials presented the plan as if it already had full US support and would be hard to resist.
Critics argue that the scheme is an alternative to an Egyptian-designed $53 billion reconstruction plan, endorsed by Arab governments, which aims to establish safe zones for people to live in during reconstruction. The proposal comes as tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions remain high, with aid officials warning of serious implications for humanitarian assistance entering Gaza.
The latest development has sparked criticism from Palestinian NGOs, who say it would be an extension of the restrictive aid regime currently overseen by the IDF. They argue that the plan aims to control every aspect of Palestinians’ lives, including basic necessities like water and education materials.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/28/israel-proposes-gaza-plan-that-gives-it-tighter-military-control-than-before-war