Israel ensuring 'slow death' of Palestinians as US, Israel push Gaza partition plan

The United States and Israel are pressing ahead with their plans for construction exclusively in areas of Gaza controlled by the Israeli military, while blocking reconstruction in Western areas, where the vast majority of the Palestinian population lives.

Israel's i24 news channel reported on Wednesday evening that plans were underway for the construction of a 'green city' in Israeli-controlled Rafah, with moves expected to escalate next week. 

The plan has drawn opposition from within Israel's cabinet, with members opposing all construction near the Green Line marking the border between Israel and Gaza.

Washington, meanwhile, is pushing for the immediate construction of so-called "Alternative Safe Communities" in the Israeli-controlled area, which comprises more than 50 percent of Gaza, The New York Times reported.

The plan aims to attract Palestinians into the Israeli-controlled area; however, concerns have been raised over the entry requirements that will be placed on Palestinians entering the reconstructed zone. Reports in recent weeks have indicated that Israel will block suspected Hamas members, without giving further details of how this will be implemented.

Officials from countries involved in the post-war plan have raised concerns about a "Berlinification" of Gaza, with the enclave being effectively partitioned into two zones, The Telegraph reported.

The officials added that the UN resolution passed earlier this month regarding US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza has effectively given the US "overlordship" over Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza.

The report added that Israeli military officials have grown frustrated with the lack of a plan to disarm Hamas, citing a senior Israeli defence official who said that there is little optimism that the current plan will succeed on this.

Hamas fighters remain stuck in Rafah

Israel's Channel 12, citing an Israeli official, reported on Thursday that a deal was sent to Hamas via mediators regarding the dozens of Hamas fighters stuck in areas of Gaza now under Israeli control.

The proposal outlined that the remaining fighters would surrender and be transferred to Israeli prisons.

"We gave the terrorists in Rafah the option to live and to leave the tunnels,” the official told Channel 12. “So far, they have not agreed to meet the conditions we set. It appears they have decided to become martyrs.”

It is unclear whether Hamas has been able to communicate with the operatives, having previously indicated that they had lost contact with groups in Rafah since the end of the last ceasefire in March.

The report follows Hamas' call on Wednesday for the mediating countries to apply pressure for the safe passage of the remaining fighters.

In its statement, Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement through the "pursuit, liquidation and arrest of resistance fighters besieged in the tunnels of Rafah".

Israel has killed more than 20 of the fighters who emerged from the tunnels, including four on Wednesday. The army has also captured at least eight.

Israel 'continuing genocide'

Amnesty International said on Thursday that Israel's genocide in Gaza is ongoing, despite the ceasefire, with no change in intent from Israeli authorities.

“The ceasefire risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. But while Israeli authorities and forces have reduced the scale of their attacks and allowed limited amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the world must not be fooled. Israel’s genocide is not over,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, in the statement.

The rights group highlighted that at least 327 people, including 136 children, have been killed by Israel since the ceasefire was announced on 9 October.

It added that Israel continues to block critical aid and equipment from entering Gaza, in violation of the International Court of Justice's January 2024 ruling urging Israel to ensure Palestinians have access to humanitarian supplies.

Amnesty said the current conditions created by Israel in Gaza are ensuring a "slow death of Palestinians resulting from the lack of proper food, water, shelter, clothing or sanitation".