The official Hebrew Broadcasting Authority reported on Saturday that Israel plans to maintain a long-term military presence in three strategic areas inside and around the Gaza Strip, despite the understandings related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.

Israel want to increase its occupation of Gaza

The agency quoted unnamed Israeli sources as saying that Tel Aviv had informed Washington of a plan to maintain its forces in a buffer zone inside the Strip (the depth or area of which has not been specified), ranging from 700 metres in some areas to more than 1,500 metres in others, alongside the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt and Hill 70 (Al-Muntar), located east of the Shuja’iyya neighbourhood in Gaza City.

Hill 70 is a strategic high ground overlooking large parts of northern Gaza, including Gaza City and Jabalia camp, giving Israeli forces visual and firepower superiority, according to the Hebrew Authority, which described it as ‘a vital area for Israel’s security.’

The sources indicated that Washington ‘understands Israel’s need’ to remain in these locations after the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s plan, which includes the release of Israeli prisoners and the start of a gradual withdrawal from Gaza.

Gradual withdrawal and possible foreign presence

According to the leaked details, the withdrawal plan begins with the army leaving the combat zones after the return of all Israeli prisoners, while temporarily remaining on the so-called ‘yellow line’ inside Gaza, before later retreating to the ‘red line’ on the border of the Strip, coinciding with the entry of foreign forces operating under American mandate to take over security tasks.

In the final stage, Israel will maintain its military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor and Al-Muntar Hill, under the pretext of ‘preventing future security threats.’

This comes at a time when violent Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip continue, despite statements by US President Donald Trump calling on Israel to ‘immediately’ stop the bombing in order to create the conditions for implementing a prisoner exchange deal and ending the war.

On Friday, Trump confirmed that Hamas was ‘ready for a lasting peace’ after the movement announced its agreement to a proposal to release all Israeli prisoners and hand over the administration of the Strip to an independent Palestinian authority.

Cairo is scheduled to host delegations from Hamas and Israel on Monday to complete negotiations on the details of the exchange deal and implement the terms of Trump’s plan, which includes 20 points, most notably: a ceasefire, the mutual release of prisoners, and the disarmament of the resistance in Gaza.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

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