What's happened
Eleven Israeli ministers, including far-right figures, called for a flag-raising ceremony in Gaza during Hanukkah, asserting Gaza's land belongs to Israel. The event is scheduled for December 18 in Nissanit, now under Israeli control, amid ongoing tensions and military activity.
What's behind the headline?
The push for a flag-raising in Gaza signals a hardening of Israeli nationalist rhetoric, especially from Netanyahu's coalition. The involvement of ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir indicates a deliberate move to assert sovereignty over Gaza, despite international and military sensitivities. This initiative risks undermining the fragile ceasefire and could provoke retaliatory actions from Gaza factions. The timing during Hanukkah emphasizes symbolic claims to land, potentially inflaming tensions further. The Israeli military's recent arrests and border crossings suggest a preparation for increased assertiveness, which may lead to escalation rather than resolution. The government’s stance appears to prioritize ideological assertions over diplomatic stability, risking a broader conflict escalation.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that eleven Israeli ministers, including Netanyahu allies and far-right figures, have called for a flag-raising ceremony in Gaza, asserting Gaza's land belongs to Israel. The Times of Israel highlights that nearly 46% of Israelis oppose settlement expansion plans, reflecting internal divisions. The same source notes that Netanyahu's Likud party remains the leading political force, with upcoming elections likely to influence settlement policies further. Meanwhile, the recent deportation of Jewish activists involved in Palestinian olive harvesting underscores ongoing tensions over military zone enforcement and the treatment of Diaspora Jews in the West Bank. These contrasting reports reveal a government balancing ideological provocations with internal political and security concerns, with the potential for escalation.
How we got here
The call for a flag-raising in Gaza comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations and a fragile ceasefire following two years of war. The initiative is driven by ultranationalist groups and reflects ongoing tensions over Gaza's territorial status and settlement policies. The Israeli government has been cautious about such provocative acts, which could escalate conflict.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.