Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has strongly criticized the Palestinian Authority's (PA) "Relief and Early Recovery Plan" for Gaza, expressing concerns about its lack of focus on addressing terrorism and Hamas. The PA's plan, submitted to the U.N. Security Council, outlines a three-phase approach estimated to cost $3.5 billion, emphasizing the need to end the "Israeli siege" and achieve a two-state solution. Ambassador Danon countered this by stating that the PA should prioritize addressing terrorism in the West Bank and condemning Hamas.
Israel's Mission to the U.N. issued a statement condemning the plan, arguing that it bypasses essential security measures such as disarming Hamas. The statement highlighted the Trump administration's proposals for transforming the situation in Gaza, including the voluntary relocation of residents, contrasting it with the PA's plan, which focuses on reconstruction without addressing demilitarization or Hamas's accountability for the destruction. The PA's plan places the responsibility for humanitarian aid delivery on Israel, designating it as the "occupying power," despite Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 and Hamas's subsequent takeover.
Beyond physical reconstruction, the PA's plan includes the creation of a "Governmental Emergency Operations Room" to oversee the initiative, along with the involvement of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Both the PA and UNRWA have faced criticism from Israel for allegedly supporting terrorism and violence. Ambassador Danon questioned the PA's moral standing and executive capacity to participate in these matters, given its lack of condemnation of the October 7 attacks and the hostage situation. The PA's plan, while repeatedly accusing Israel of "genocidal aggression" in Gaza, makes no mention of Hamas or the October 7 attacks or the hostages taken into Gaza. While the Israeli Mission to the U.N. criticized the PA’s plan, it acknowledged the uncertainty of its acceptance, particularly considering the Trump administration's new Gaza policy.
During Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Washington D.C., President Trump proposed that the U.S. would "take over" Gaza and relocate the Palestinian residents. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that this would not involve deploying American troops but rather negotiating agreements with regional partners. President Trump has demanded the return of hostages, and several have since been released, with three more, including American Sagui Dekel Chen, expected to be freed soon.
