Eran Etzion, the former Deputy Head of Israel’s National Security Council, says the rejection of the Egypt-led plan by the Israeli government is not a surprise.

“This government is not interested in the reconstruction of Gaza or any kind of Palestinian or Arab control of Gaza,” Etzion told Al Jazeera from Mevaseret near Jerusalem.

“They are much more leaning towards Trump’s plan (which calls for the displacement of 2.3 million Palestinians), though it’s not really a plan. Of course, Netanyahu knows full well that it’s not a plan.

“There is no chance whatsoever for the implementation of this [Trump’s] plan. But it allows him to continue to satisfy his narrow political interests, which is obviously to maintain his grip on power in Israel,” Etzion said.

Etzion added that Netanyahu has essentially broken the Gaza ceasefire deal by not moving forward to phase 2 and not withdrawing the Israeli forces from the so-called Philadelphi Corridor. “And even though there is no actual excuse to withdraw from the agreement, which was backed by Trump,” he said.

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