Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?

Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?

Nearly two decades after Israel withdrew from Gaza, dismantling settlements and military posts under Ariel Sharon’s leadership, the Israeli government has now approved a plan to take over the Palestinian enclave again, following 22 months of its war there.

What began as speculation this week quickly became official policy after a 10-hour security cabinet meeting, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gained approval to take full control of northern Gaza.

The plan includes displacing up to a million people and reshaping governance in the strip under an as yet undefined “civilian authority”.

Mr Netanyahu claims this move will restore Israel’s security and free Gazans from Hamas rule. But critics, including top military officials and former security leaders, warn this could destroy prospects for a ceasefire, worsen the humanitarian catastrophe and endanger remaining hostages.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher speaks to two Israeli figures on opposite sides of the debate: Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security think tank and former head of the research division in the Israeli military intelligence; and Ami Ayalon, a former commander of the Israeli Navy and former director of the Israel security agency Shin Bet. One defends reoccupation as a necessary strategy, the other calls it a dangerous step that could cost Israel its identity, security and future.

Episoder(476)

In Syria, no civilian or child is safe from the trappings of war

In Syria, no civilian or child is safe from the trappings of war

Extremist groups in Syria are planting landmines and booby traps all over the country with the intention of killing civilians. Even children aren't safe from bombs that are often disguised as toys. I...

11 Apr 201814min

Saddam Hussein's fall, 15 years on

Saddam Hussein's fall, 15 years on

In 2002, a 12-metre statue of Saddam Hussein was erected in Baghdad's Firdos Square, right in the middle of one of the Iraqi capital’s many roundabouts. It depicted the Iraqi dictator standing heels t...

4 Apr 201821min

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia while Yemen continues to suffer

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia while Yemen continues to suffer

This week, Saudi Arabia witnessed the most aggressive attack on its own soil since their intervention in the Yemen civil war three years ago. The Houthis launched seven missiles at Riyadh. Saudi’s mi...

28 Mar 201816min

The US welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The US welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States on an official visit this week. The already strong relationship between the two countries is being reinforced during meetings with P...

21 Mar 201825min

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's US visit; ISIL's resurgence

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's US visit; ISIL's resurgence

This week, we discuss Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's international outreach. The 32-year-old heir to the Kingdom made stops in Cairo and London and is next heading to Washington for a two-we...

14 Mar 201824min

Syria's humanitarian crisis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the UK

Syria's humanitarian crisis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the UK

The Syrian conflict is now entering its eighth year. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, clashes are fierce in rebel-held areas and the regime of President Bashar Al Assad has again been accused i...

8 Mar 201823min

The Rohingya crisis, six months on; and saving animals caught up in the war against ISIL

The Rohingya crisis, six months on; and saving animals caught up in the war against ISIL

It has been six months since Myanmar military operations sparked a mass exodus of the country's Rohingya Muslim minority to neighbouring Bangladesh. But although the crisis has now fallen out of th...

1 Mar 201819min

A conversation with the UAE's ambassadors to Germany, India and China

A conversation with the UAE's ambassadors to Germany, India and China

On this special edition of Beyond the Headlines, host Naser Al Wasmi is joined by the Emirati Ambassadors to three very important countries in the UAE’s global diplomatic network: Ali Al Ahmed, UAE Am...

22 Feb 201833min

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