Iran-Backed Proxies Intensify Attacks on Israel, Heightening Regional Tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed US President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza during a conference in Jerusalem on February 16, 2025. He described the plan as "the only viable path" for achieving regional stability, asserting that it offers a distinct future for both Gaza and Israel.
In his remarks, Netanyahu emphasized that the plan is not about forced eviction but about providing Palestinians with choices regarding their relocation. He stated, "We changed the Middle East. Now comes President Trump... We have to see eye to eye on the main task that we have to accomplish." Netanyahu laid out three primary goals: the release of hostages, the destruction of Hamas, and fostering a different future for Gaza.
However, Trump's plan has drawn sharp criticism, with opponents labeling it as a form of "ethnic cleansing" due to pressures it may impose on the population. The Israeli Prime Minister's comments come amid a complex backdrop of negotiations, where rights groups argue that emigration framed as voluntary may involve coercion given the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.