Israeli newspapers: The Palestinian state project is fading and Israel is considering managing Gaza.

Two Israeli newspapers highlighted the implications of the delay in forming the international peacekeeping force in the Gaza Strip, and what that may lead to in weakening the chances of establishing a unified and sovereign Palestinian state.

The newspaper Israel Hayom reported that hopes for the formation of an international force to disarm the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) seem "out of reach" amid the retreat or change in positions of some participating countries regarding the powers and field management of the force in the region.

The newspaper pointed out that the continued delay may reinforce the Israeli government's conviction of the necessity to manage the Gaza Strip itself, including disarming Hamas, instead of waiting for international decisions that have not yet been resolved.

This comes especially in light of Israeli positions and statements that support Israel's conviction of the necessity to take over the management of the region, which was evident in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to Washington "not to begin the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip before fully disarming Hamas."

In this context, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the army's presence at strategic points is a prerequisite before starting the reconstruction of Gaza.

In a related context, the newspaper "Haaretz" mentioned that the concept of a Palestinian state has lost much of its political and practical meaning, after Israel - especially during Netanyahu's tenure - sought to remove the 1967 borders from public discussion.

The newspaper stated that the Palestinian Authority no longer controls more than one-fifth of the West Bank, while Israel remains dominant over Gaza and the West Bank through control of the airspace, sea, and buffer zones.

Experts - whom Haaretz spoke to - believe that any Palestinian state declared under the current circumstances will lack true sovereignty, and will emerge geographically divided and politically and economically constrained, making it "more like a large prison."

According to the Israeli newspaper, the establishment of a viable Palestinian state requires a clear definition of borders, stable security arrangements, and real possibilities for governance and resources; otherwise, it will remain merely a theoretical proposal that is not applicable on the ground.