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Editorial – Temporarily Resettle Gaza Refugees to Illegal Israeli Settlements inside Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)

© Provided by The Rahnuma Daily

Results of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution for the Security Council to reconsider and support the full membership of Palestine into the United Nations, displayed at the UN headquarters in New York City on May 10, 2024.

(RAHNUMA) The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, with mass displacement, severe shortages of essentials, and a growing death toll. While the international community debates solutions, it has failed to propose actionable steps to address the immediate plight of Gaza’s refugees. In light of this, a controversial but practical proposal deserves serious consideration: resettling Gaza refugees within the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements, declared illegal under international law and repeatedly condemned by UN resolutions, could serve as an interim solution to the refugee crisis during the reconstruction of Gaza, while addressing Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.

Leveraging International Law for Humanitarian Relief

The international legal framework provides a clear context for addressing Israel’s illegal settlements. UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) reaffirms that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, are a “flagrant violation” of international law and have “no legal validity.” The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the transfer of an occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory, which Israel has ignored for decades. These settlements, strategically placed to fragment Palestinian territories and prevent a contiguous Palestinian state, have become symbols of Israel’s defiance of global norms.

Yet, these same settlements could now offer a lifeline for displaced Gaza refugees during reconstruction efforts. Utilizing the infrastructure of these settlements to house Palestinians aligns with the occupier’s legal obligation to protect the population under its control. Such a move would mark a shift in Israel’s approach, demonstrating its willingness to address the humanitarian crisis while mitigating allegations of ethnic cleansing. It would also reflect adherence to international law and offer a more constructive use of resources than continued expansion of illegal settlements.

Addressing Humanitarian Concerns and Allegations of Ethnic Cleansing

The mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza has intensified accusations of ethnic cleansing against Israel. By repurposing illegal settlements for humanitarian relief, Israel can address these allegations and showcase a commitment to alleviating Palestinian suffering. This proposal would prevent the complete uprooting of Palestinians from their historical homeland and counter claims that Israel is pursuing demographic engineering through forced displacement.

For the international community, such a step would present an opportunity to engage constructively with the crisis. This would ensure displaced Palestinians receive immediate relief while reducing the perception that Palestinians are being misplaced out of Gaza through demographic engineering by the Israelis with the support of America, under the false pretext of reconstruction of Gaza.

Strategic Benefits for Israel

From a security perspective, housing Gaza refugees in illegal settlements offers Israel significant advantages. It would allow Israeli authorities to closely monitor displaced populations for any resurgence of Hamas or other militant activity. Settlements can provide the infrastructure for such oversight, ensuring security concerns are addressed without further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Moreover, this approach would redirect resources from settlement expansion—widely condemned by the international community—to humanitarian purposes. By temporarily repurposing these settlements, Israel could demonstrate a willingness to comply with international norms while addressing its own security concerns.

Role of the United States and International Community

The United States has long opposed the expansion of Israeli settlements. Successive administrations, from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, have labeled them as illegal and obstacles to peace. Even the Biden administration has maintained this position. By supporting the resettlement of Gaza refugees in these settlements, the U.S. could reaffirm its commitment to a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while addressing immediate humanitarian needs.

International organizations, such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), could play a key role in overseeing the resettlement process, ensuring transparency and adherence to international standards. Arab nations and the European Union could also contribute financially and diplomatically, framing this initiative as part of irreversible steps toward a two-state solution.

Overcoming Political and Logistical Challenges

Understandably, this proposal will face resistance from multiple stakeholders. Palestinian leadership may view it as legitimizing illegal settlements, while Israeli hardliners could oppose any measure perceived as ceding control over settlements. However, these concerns can be mitigated through careful diplomacy and clear communication. Resettlement must be framed as an emergency measure, not a permanent solution, and tied to broader efforts toward a two-state solution, after which Israel will have to return the Occupied Palestinian Territories to the Palestinian Authority anyway.

The process would require robust international oversight and guarantees that the rights of displaced Palestinians are respected. Ensuring that temporary resettlement efforts do not displace additional Palestinian communities in the West Bank is critical and will help in a smooth reconstruction of Gazzat Hashim, Gaza of Hashem as it is known by its local inhabitants.

A Step Toward Normalization

The temporary resettlement of Gaza refugees in illegal Israeli settlements offers a pragmatic solution to an urgent humanitarian crisis and is in line with the irreversible path toward Palestinian Statehood. It aligns with international law, addresses the immediate needs of displaced Palestinians, and provides Israel with an opportunity to counter allegations of ethnic cleansing. By letting go of their illegally occupied land and repurposing settlements for humanitarian purposes, Israel could take a significant step toward complying with its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

This proposal represents a rare convergence of humanitarian relief, legal compliance, and security considerations. It is bold solutions like this that prioritize human dignity and can pave the way for a lasting resolution and regional normalization between a new deradicalized, international law abiding State of Israel and its prosperous Arab neighbors.

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