Reuters reported Friday evening that Israel had informed several neighboring Arab countries of its intention to establish a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip near the border on the Palestinian side. This was done in order to prevent future attacks, as part of the plan for the day after the war.
Hamas leaders in Qatar celebrate the October 7th massacre
According to the three sources, Israel communicated its plans to its neighbors Egypt and Jordan, as well as to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. "Israel wants the north-south buffer zone to prevent Hamas or other armed groups from penetrating or attacking Israel," one of the sources who spoke to Reuters said.
The UAE will support
A UAE official said his country "will support all future post-war arrangements agreed upon by all parties concerned for the achievement of stability and a Palestinian state."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political adviser, Ofir Falk, told Reuters that "the plan is more detailed than advertised and is based on a three-stage post-Hamas process that includes the destruction of the terrorist organization, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the removal of extremist elements."
A senior Israeli official said the idea of creating a buffer zone was being "tested," adding that "it is not clear at the moment how wide it will be, a kilometer, two or hundreds of meters."
According to sources in Egypt and the region, Saudi Arabia, which does not have official relations with Israel, was also updated on the plan. Before the war, contacts were held to normalize relations between Jerusalem and Riyadh, mediated by the United States.
Jordan is trying to exert pressure
Earlier today, Jordan's King Abdullah said during the Dubai International Climate Conference that the international community should pressure Israel to stop its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Abdullah also expressed opposition to any occupation of the Gaza Strip. In recent weeks, Jordanian politicians have even discussed the possibility of canceling the peace agreement.
Jordan's King and Blinken at their meeting, Photo: Reuters
Meanwhile, the same climate conference was attended by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who shook the hand of Qatari Emir Tamim Hamad al-Thani. Israel has no official ties with Qatar, but it serves as one of the main mediators on the issue of the release of hostages, alongside the United States and Egypt.
Qatar has also hosted Hamas' supreme leadership for years and has funneled (with the approval of Israeli governments) more than $1 billion into the Gaza Strip. The handshake photo was not published on Qatari channels.
Egypt is also taking part in mediation efforts to continue the truce, which collapsed during the morning with the resumption of fighting. Cairo strongly opposes any idea of absorbing refugees from the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Hamas said today that it was ready to renew the truce for another agreement to release hostages.
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