Tense Cabinet Meeting Held in Jerusalem Amid US Pressure on Gaza
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a tense meeting of the Israeli cabinet took place in Jerusalem, reportedly driven by ongoing pressure from the United States concerning the administration of Gaza after the conflict.
Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a post on social media platform X, “Today, I held a meeting of the political-security cabinet in Jerusalem.”
While the Prime Minister’s office did not provide detailed information, Hebrew media outlets, including the Kan network and the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, indicated that the meeting occurred amidst a tense atmosphere. The tension was attributed to U.S. demands for a framework to govern Gaza following the war.
Walla, a Hebrew-language news site, reported that the United States has requested that Tel Aviv take responsibility for extensive debris removal in Gaza, covering costs potentially reaching billions of dollars, especially given the reluctance of Arab countries to provide funding.
The Kan network further reported that the atmosphere during the session was strained, marked by disagreements among cabinet members on how to address U.S. demands and delineate the future of Gaza.
On November 18, the United Nations Security Council adopted a U.S. resolution, by a majority vote, calling for an end to the conflict and the establishment of a temporary international force until the end of 2027.
The resolution proposed that the governance of Gaza would be entrusted to a transitional technocratic Palestinian government under the supervision of a “Peace Council” led by President Donald Trump.
Under the Trump plan, which began on October 10, the initial phase involved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian groups. The second phase entailed the formation of a transitional technocratic government and the implementation of an economic program for the reconstruction of Gaza.
The conflict against Gaza, which began on October 8, 2023, and continued for two years, resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 Palestinians and injuries to 171,000 others, the majority of whom were women and children.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli regime continues to violate it, leading to further casualties among Palestinians.
