FiMED – Follow-up

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has argued that Israel's approach to recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip could backfire, as the deadlock surrounding the "Board of Peace" plan to rebuild the Strip persists.

In an analysis by journalist Zvi Bar'el, the paper's Middle East analyst and a former editor-in-chief, the newspaper said the reconstruction plan faces a gap between deteriorating humanitarian conditions on the ground and Israeli conditions on separating security arrangements from the management of civil affairs in Gaza.

The reconstruction plan faces a political impasse

According to Haaretz's analysis, Gaza's reconstruction is not moving at the pace demanded by needs on the ground, while Israel keeps pushing for arrangements that guarantee it a security role in the Strip.

The paper believes this creates a stalemate over the mechanisms for moving to the recovery phase, at a time when the population's humanitarian and service needs are growing.

The impasse leaves the "Board of Peace" facing the challenge of reconciling the requirements of reconstruction on the one hand with Israel's conditions on security and political arrangements in the Strip on the other.

Separating security from civil administration

The analysis focuses on one of the main points of contention in the coming phase: how roles will be divided between the party responsible for security and the party responsible for running civilian life in Gaza.

According to Haaretz, Israel insists on separating security control from civil control, which adds another obstacle to shaping a clear model for governing the Strip in the post-war period.

Fears of a prolonged stalemate

The paper believes continued stagnation could worsen the humanitarian situation, delay the rebuilding of infrastructure and hamper the transition from war to recovery.

Haaretz's analysis warns that a policy of wasting time or waiting for new political and security developments could ultimately backfire on Israel itself, a conclusion that reflects the paper's view and analysis of the current course.

Gaza's governance in the spotlight

The debate over reconstruction runs in parallel with the ongoing discussion about who will run Gaza in the coming phase and how, an issue in which security, political and humanitarian arrangements overlap.

In this context, questions arise about who will take on civil administration, the role of Palestinians in running the Strip, the nature of the Arab and international role, and the future of security arrangements.

Haaretz's reading suggests that resolving these files remains a basic condition for overcoming the stalemate and opening the way to large-scale reconstruction.

The Haaretz analysis comes as international discussions continue on arrangements for the next phase in Gaza, including reconstruction, governance of the Strip and security arrangements.

The mechanism for governing Gaza, the party that will assume civil responsibility, and the nature of the Israeli, Arab and international roles remain among the key files that will shape the next phase, alongside the ability of any reconstruction plan to secure funding and safe access and to implement projects on the ground.