The Israeli opposition has long attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for its lack of any vision or plan of action for the future of the conflict, but what many people overlook is that the lack of coherent plans does not mean that Netanyahu has no policy, according to Noa Landau, deputy editor-in-chief of Haaretz.

The writer believes that Netanyahu is indeed following a clear policy, but she explains in her article in the same newspaper that Netanyahu’s policies are translated into actions on the ground, not official statements or declarations.

She says that throughout his years in power, Netanyahu has benefited from deliberate ambiguity, including broadcasting contradictory messages in Hebrew and English, “but reality does not lie.” In this way, and very slowly, large parts of the West Bank were annexed de facto, without legislation “intended to be ridiculously impressive.” This is exactly what is happening now in the Gaza Strip, according to the article.

Landau explains that despite the attacks by his opponents, Netanyahu is implementing a plan in stages; First, it is based on occupying large areas of the Gaza Strip, expelling the population, destroying their homes, paving new roads and building military sites and other infrastructure in the long term.

She adds that this phase is currently being implemented by pushing for a plan to transfer civilian control over Gaza to private companies, specifically to "local entities with administrative experience that are not affiliated with countries or organizations that support terrorism," and Israel will pay for this.

Netanyahu is implementing a plan in stages; first, it is based on occupying large areas of the Gaza Strip, expelling the population, destroying their homes, paving new roads and building military sites and other infrastructure in the long term.

Then comes the transfer of responsibility for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip to the Israeli army (a reference to a military government).

The deputy editor-in-chief of Haaretz reveals that a decision is currently being made to appoint a private Israeli-American company to take on the task after the army refused to undertake it.

The company being considered is said to be GDC, a military contractor of the type that operated in Iraq and Afghanistan during the American occupation of both countries.

According to the article, numerous studies conducted over the years on this strategy have shown that it involves great risks. The entities entrusted with this type of work are “mercenary companies,” and there are many questions about their commitment to international law and standards.

The writer believes that this will essentially lead to the privatization of military rule in Gaza by handing it over to private companies with special financial interests and nothing else. “The goal is to transfer moral and legal responsibility from Israel to these armed militias.”

Netanyahu’s plan for the post-war on the Gaza Strip consists of “military occupation, mercenaries and settlements, and this is a sure recipe for the coming disaster.”

The article quotes the company’s founder and CEO, Moti Kahana, in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth on Tuesday, as saying, “If something happens, we will send a message to the residents of Gaza that you don’t mess with us.” Landau describes this warning as similar to that issued by mafia gangs.

The author of the article expresses her belief that what Israel aims for in all this is to prevent the Palestinian Authority from gaining a foothold in the Gaza Strip, and thus weaken it, a policy that Netanyahu has been implementing throughout his years in power.

She points out that the current plan gives private contracting companies the keys to civilian control of the Gaza Strip, thus turning the Strip into another Iraq, which will be "a tragedy for generations."

She concludes by saying that Netanyahu's plan for the post-war on the Gaza Strip consists of "military occupation, mercenaries and settlements, and this is a sure recipe for the coming disaster."

Source: Haaretz