Rubio Meets MBS As Saudis Seek ‘Arab Alternative’ To Trump’s Gaza Plan, Egypt Seeks ‘Safe Areas’ In…

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz on Feb. 17 said a special agency would be established for the "voluntary departure" of Gazans. This came after Israel expressed commitment to a US proposal to take over the Palestinian territory and expel its residents. Earlier this month, Katz said he had ordered the army to formulate a plan to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza. He has welcomed “Trump’s bold plan, which could allow a large portion of Gaza’s population to relocate to various places.”Meanwhile, a vocal opponent of stopping the war, Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he "will demand a vote" by ministers on Trump's plan. Smotrich also said that Israel must "issue a clear ultimatum” to Hamas militants to surrender their arms and leave Gaza. He was speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss the next phase of the truce between Israel and Hamas. According to Israeli media, the security cabinet convened on Feb. 17 evening to discuss phase two of the fragile ceasefire which began on Jan.19. "If Hamas refuses this ultimatum, Israel will open the gates of hell," said Smotrich, echoing an expression used by both Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTIONISRAEL ‘PREPARING’ TO RECEIVE BODIES OF HOSTAGESTRUMP’S TOP DIPLOMAT DISCUSSES GAZA DEAL WITH MBS