Netanyahu rejects US-backed Gaza administration committee, demands full security control

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, Jan. 17 (YPA) – The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday its categorical rejection of the announcement issued by US President Donald Trump regarding the formation of the “Executive Committee for the Administration of Gaza,” emanating from the “Peace Council.”

The office asserted that any administrative structure that does not guarantee full Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip is unacceptable.

A statement issued by the Israeli cabinet said that “Israel was not part of any coordination” that led to the announcement of the committee members’ names or the definition of its executive tasks, in a position reflecting official objection to the American move.

This rejection comes hours after Dr. Ali Shaath announced from Cairo the commencement of the committee’s work with American and Arab support, a development that observers considered potentially reshuffling the cards in the Gaza administration file.

Meanwhile, analysts believe that Netanyahu’s position is linked to fears that the technocratic committee will transform into a de facto authority, which could lead to a reduction of Israeli influence in reconstruction efforts and aid distribution, and open the door to international pressure for withdrawal from the Netzarim crossing and northern Gaza.