Israel has begun making plans for the next phase of the war in Gaza, where Hamas will no longer control the Strip and Israel will retain the freedom to carry out military operations, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant revealed Thursday.
The announcement comes at a time when Israel continues to reduce the number of its forces in Gaza to allow thousands of reserve soldiers to return to their jobs after increasing international pressure to shift to less intense combat operations.
Israel launched its attack on Gaza following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the killing of 1,200 people in towns near Gaza and the taking of about 240 hostage.
Palestinian health authorities say that the Israeli attack killed more than 22,000 people, forced most residents to leave their homes and turned large areas of the Gaza Strip into rubble.
A new phase of the war. Gallant reveals his plan for the aftermath of the war on Gaza. Archive
Gallant said in a statement explaining the guidelines that reflect his vision for the next stages of the war that Israel intends to follow a new, more targeted approach in the northern part of the Strip and continue to pursue the leaders of the Hamas movement in the south.
He stressed that the Israeli forces in the northern region of the Gaza Strip “will shift to a new combat approach in line with the military achievements on the ground,” noting that Israel “will move to the third phase of the fighting” by eliminating “the remaining hotspots of terrorism” in the Strip, according to A report published by the newspaper “The Times of Israel“.
Thousands killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks. Archive
Gallant said that the operations will include raids, tunnel demolitions, air and ground strikes, and special forces operations.
He did not give details of the timetable for moving to the third stage, stressing that “this is conditional on achieving specific military objectives that cannot be revealed to the media.”
In the south of the besieged Strip, where most of the Strip’s 2.3 million residents now live, most of them in tents and temporary shelters, the operation will continue to attempt to eliminate Hamas leaders and rescue Israeli hostages. “It will continue as long as it is deemed necessary,” the statement said, referring to military operations.
Post-war details
The Israeli War Council is scheduled to discuss “the next day’s plans for the Gaza Strip,” which is the first time such discussions have taken place since October 7, according to a newspaper report. Haaretz.
Gallant confirms in his statement that Hamas will not return to control Gaza after the war and that Israel will retain the freedom to carry out operations, indicating that there will be no Israeli civilian presence, in response to the demand of prominent members of the government to establish Jewish settlements in Gaza.
He added that “Israel will not be responsible for civilian life in Gaza,” and that Palestinian bodies are scheduled to manage the Strip.
He went on to say: “The residents of Gaza are Palestinians, so Palestinian bodies will assume responsibility, provided that there are no hostile acts or threats to the State of Israel.”
According to Gallant’s vision for the day after the end of the war in Gaza, a multipolar mechanism for civilian rule must be established in the Strip, which includes: a multinational force, a Palestinian management mechanism, Egypt and Israel, according to the Haaretz newspaper.
He explained that the multinational force should be led by the United States and moderate Western and Arab countries, and allow international agencies interested in helping to rebuild Gaza.
As for the Palestinian administration, it must consist of local committees and entities that are not hostile to Israel, “and Israel must approve their appointment.”
Gallant pointed to strengthening Egypt’s control over the border crossing with Gaza, and working in partnership with Israel and the United States, to effectively isolate and secure the border.
Israel will also direct the civilian operations of the multinational force, and will supervise the entry of goods into the Strip, he said.
A report published by a television website stated:i24newsThe Israeli newspaper said that Gallant’s plan conflicts with Washington’s desire to see the Palestinian Authority take control of Gaza after the war.
Growing fears that the Gaza war will expand into a regional conflict
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari criticized Gallant’s announcement of his plan at this stage, saying that it could “serve the enemy.”
In his daily press conference, Hagari refused to comment on it, noting that “it is inappropriate to talk about this in the media and reveal the details to the enemy.”
A report published by the newspaper suggested thatJerusalem Post“The United States, the European Union, and moderate Arab states may not agree to participate in managing Gaza and providing financing, which could leave Israel stranded if it does not show flexibility.
He indicated that Israel may be heading to elections, which may end with officials from Benny Gantz, who seems more open to the Palestinian Authority and international proposals.
#Details #Gallant #Plan #day #war #Gaza
2024-01-05 01:47:04
