In an attempt to advance normalization talks with Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to keep the peace in the Gaza Strip in the wake of border protests during which several Palestinians were killed.
Per Haaretz, Israel is considering various steps to minimize another flare-up by Palestinians in the besieged enclave, hoping to lead to a quicker normalization deal with Riyadh. Some of the concessions are increasing the number of Palestinians from Gaza being allowed to work in Israel from 15,000 to 20,000 and making trade easier for those living in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar has been helping mediate the situation and was vital in reopening the Erez Checkpoint.
“[Qatar] succeeded in de-escalating the situation in the Gaza Strip by mediating an understanding reopening the Erez Checkpoint for Palestinian workers,” Doha’s envoy in Gaza, Mohammed Al Emadi, said. “Qatar will spare no effort in supporting the Palestinian people through diplomacy and development initiatives until they achieve their aspirations for statehood and prosperity.”
Protests against the Israeli forces resulted from key border crossing closures, barring Palestinian laborers from going to their jobs.
Normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel have been ongoing for several months under US sponsorship. The so-called “megadeal” has brought opposition from many in the Arab world and from within Israel.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) says normalization with Israel gets closer every day. “It seems it’s for the first time a real one, serious. We’re going to see how it goes.”
“For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part," MbS added. “We got to see where we go. We hope that will reach a place that will ease the life of the Palestinians and get Israel as a player in [West Asia]."
The benefits Saudi Arabia will get from the deal include a formal defense agreement with the US, and access to advanced US weapons, including the F-35 fighter jet. The deal would also promise US assistance in the development of civilian nuclear infrastructure, which includes the ability for uranium enrichment.
On a trip to Speak with Palestinian authorities, Saudi Ambassador Nayef al-Sudairi stated his and the kingdom's support for the Palestinian people.
“The Palestinian cause and Palestine and the people of Palestine are of high and important status,” Sudairi said while visiting Ramallah. “In the coming days, there will be a chance for a bigger cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the State of Palestine."
Others in opposition to the deal have made their views on Israeli capitulation heard. Leader of the far-right Religious Zionist party, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, has loudly voiced opposition to concessions for the Palestinians, threatening to collapse the Israeli government.
“If there will be concessions for the Palestinians, we will not remain in the government,” Ben-Gvir said. “We will not accept any concessions to the Palestinians. I told the prime minister not to put us in a corner.”
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has toed the line between support and opposition to normalization between Arab States and Israel.
During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Abbas voiced his support for normalization in 2017. While in 2020, he made clear that he “won’t sit at a table where [Trump’s] Deal of the Century is present.”