TRIBUNNEWS.COM — Israel insists that Hamas no longer rules in Gaza.
This was stated by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday (4/1/2024) before meeting the War Cabinet and State Security Cabinet regarding Israel’s security status after the war in Gaza was over.
Even though it does not want Hamas to exist, Israel states that Gaza will include the integration of the Palestinian civilian leadership in Gaza into a more substantial local government.
“Hamas will not rule Gaza. And Israel will also not hold the position of civilian governor in Gaza,” Gallant was quoted as saying by The Jerusalem Post.
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While it was previously reported that top defense officials wanted Gaza’s Palestinians to rule Gaza after the IDF began withdrawing, this is only part of the picture, and the rest of the picture involves the US, the European Union and moderate Sunni allies.
Basically, the concept of the defense establishment, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, is that ultimately, more and more civilian governance will have to be handled by local Gazans without Hamas loyalty, but this will not be possible all at once.
The IDF will continue to have broad security responsibilities, including borders and the authority to carry out attacks, but some combined forces provided by the US, European allies, and Arab allies, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and other countries will assist in security and administrative aspects in country.
Only when local Palestinians in Gaza have adjusted, have a more stable home and life, and appear ready to stand on their own in the face of minor challenges from the remnants of Hamas and other terror groups will international conglomerate states hand over more management to local groups.
Minor Role of the Palestinian Authority
The defense establishment and Gallant also do not completely disqualify the Palestinian Authority from playing certain roles, although the defense minister prefers to minimize its role or only grant it if aspects of its policy towards Israel improve.
Until now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided public debate on these issues and mostly talked about things he opposes: such as the non-involvement of the Palestinian Authority.
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However, the United States, the European Union and moderate Arab states may not agree to participate and provide funding, which could leave Israel trapped if Jerusalem does not show flexibility.
It is also unclear how Israel would select Gazans completely cut off from Hamas after 16 years of rule by the militant group, but Gallant is confident that such a group could be found or created.
Smotrich Wants Forced Relocation
Meanwhile Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister, said that the new Gallant plan announced the day after the war was a repeat of the situation in Gaza before October 7.
Instead, Smotrich advocates what he calls “voluntary migration” – which many Palestinians and human rights groups consider forced displacement – and the renewal of illegal settlements in the region.
2024-01-04 19:51:10
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