Differences in views between Washington and Tel Aviv on the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.
In an article titled “US-Israeli Disagreement Deepens; No Unified Vision for Phase Two,” Al-Akhbar Lebanon wrote that the two sides’ disagreement over the “phase two” of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is deepening.
According to the newspaper, while Washington seeks to turn the agreement into a gateway to a regional agreement that promotes the normalization process and expands the circle of stability in line with its interests, Israel insists on tying any political or security progress in the Gaza Strip to security guarantees, without making any commitments on its part that would limit its control and ability to take initiative.
However, this disagreement does not appear to be an open conflict. The US needs Israel to achieve its regional vision, and Tel Aviv needs Washington’s umbrella and support to guarantee its security and existence.
Al-Akhbar continued: The difference between Donald Trump (US President) and Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister) is not about the main goals, because both are pursuing the same goals, including ensuring Israel’s security and dismantling Hamas, but the difference is about the broader strategic approach and perspective, especially for the post-war period in the Gaza Strip.
Trump does not consider Gaza to be separate from regional developments and seeks to expand the Abraham Accords (compromise) through Gaza and place Israel in the axis under his leadership alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while Netanyahu, on the other hand, is focused on direct security goals, such as disarming Hamas and dismantling it and preventing a return to the situation before October 7 (Al-Aqsa Storm). Tel Aviv does not have a clear vision or even a desire to enter the regional political and security process.
According to the Arabic-language media outlet, Trump supports a civilian government in Gaza led by the Palestinian Authority instead of Hamas, and that it should bring Arab support to the new process, while Netanyahu opposes this option and any cooperation with this organization.
The US president emphasizes the need for arrangements in Gaza that are based on regional and international support and participation, so that countries such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey play a role, but Netanyahu only wants Tel Aviv and Washington to play a role and opposes a regional and international mechanism.
Al-Akhbar added: The US insists on the need to accelerate the presence of multinational forces in Gaza even before the end of the agreement, including countries such as Turkey, whose presence Israel cannot tolerate, while Tel Aviv does not accept it and considers it a factor in losing its control in Gaza.