Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is facing a significant crisis with his plans to resume war on Gaza after US President Donald Trump clarified his stance, supporting the relocation of the entire population to Egypt and Jordan. This move is seen as an act of ethnic cleansing, which could be disastrous for Netanyahu’s already-diminished global status.
Trump’s comments have further emboldened far-right politicians in Israel, who believe this will pave the way to forcing Palestinians out of Gaza once and for all. The US president’s support also puts pressure on Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, where Jewish settlers are taking control, making life difficult for Palestinian residents.
The success of Trump’s plan depends largely on his self-awareness, with some critics describing him as a solipsist who prioritizes his own interests over global opinion. Additionally, Trump views Gaza as prime real estate with significant offshore gas reserves, which is a key factor in his support for the relocation plan.
However, global public opinion remains a major obstacle to this plan, particularly since Israel is now widely viewed as a pariah state. This may lead to increased pressure on Netanyahu ahead of next year’s Israeli election, where the extent of the assault on Gaza becomes more obvious every day.
The 16-month blockade on Gaza has caused a humanitarian disaster, with an estimated death toll of over 64,000 people, including those missing under destroyed buildings. The Israeli Defence Forces’ pursuit of the Dahiya doctrine has led to this devastating outcome, which may haunt successive Israeli governments for generations.
Trump’s arms supplies to Israel have contributed significantly to this destruction, including around 100 arms shipments with a cumulative explosive power equivalent to six times that of the Hiroshima bomb.
Source: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/trump-has-called-for-the-ethnic-cleansing-of-gazans-will-it-happen