Egypt’s reconstruction proposal for Gaza has been criticized by Israel, prompting a defense from Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Shin Bet admits failures in preventing Hamas attacks, leading to mounting demands for a national inquiry. Meanwhile, Egypt’s plan aims to provide support without displacing Palestinians, as discussed at recent Arab summits and the upcoming OIC meeting in Jeddah.
The ongoing discourse regarding Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal for Gaza has elicited sharp criticism from Israel, which deems it unacceptable, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. He characterized the Israeli government’s stance as obstinate and radical and emphasized that lasting peace is unattainable without establishing an independent Palestinian state. Additionally, he stated unequivocally that no single state should be permitted to dictate terms to the international community.
In a related development, Shin Bet has admitted its failures concerning the recent Hamas-led attacks, which were preceded by indications of potential aggression that the agency overlooked. Chief Ronen Bar highlighted the profound consequence of the misjudgment, indicating that a different approach could have mitigated the devastation. Bar, who has expressed intentions to resign due to these shortcomings, noted that the ramifications weigh heavily on him personally.
Israel’s military also released its evaluation of the conditions leading to the October 7 incident, acknowledging its significant underestimation of Hamas’s tactical capabilities. The findings from both Shin Bet and military investigations emerged amid growing calls for a national inquiry into the failures experienced by the Israeli government during one of its most tragic events in history. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has faced resistance regarding a comprehensive review despite increasing pressure.
Egypt intends to present its Gaza reconstruction plan at the forthcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah on March 7. This follows the Cairo summit where Arab leaders collectively disapproved of a previously proposed plan by Donald Trump that aimed to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza. The approved Arab initiative focuses on immediate relief efforts and the eventual reconstruction of Gaza without displacing its residents.
In summary, the tensions surrounding Gaza’s reconstruction are underscored by Egypt’s plan facing Israeli backlash and the internal security failures acknowledged by Israel’s agencies. With both investigations revealing critical lapses in preventing the recent attacks, the calls for a national inquiry grow louder, reflecting a demand for accountability in response to unprecedented loss. Furthermore, Egypt’s efforts for regional and international consensus on Gaza’s future are set to continue, highlighting the ongoing complexities of the situation.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
