Government officials in Israel discuss the fate of the Gaza region.
What's the next step after defeating Hamas? This question is on everyone's minds in Israel's government. Defense Minister Galant wants a decisive action plan, whereas Prime Minister Netanyahu is hesitant. A fiery debate is taking place.
There's a heated debate within the Israeli government on the future governance of Gaza following Hamas's defeat. Defense Minister Joav Galant heavily criticized Israel's inability to decide who should rule Gaza after the war. Previously, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that discussions about the future administration of the Gaza Strip are meaningless until a victory over Islamist terrorist organization Hamas is achieved.
Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Galant urged for the development of a political alternative to Hamas rule in Gaza. Without such an alternative, Galant emphasized there are only two negative choices: maintaining Hamas's power or establishing Israeli military rule.
"The post-Hamas era can only be achieved if Palestinian representatives govern in Gaza, accompanied by international actors who create a functioning alternative to Hamas rule," Galant stated. Israel's operations in Gaza have started showing results, and Hamas has already been weakened militarily. However, as long as Hamas maintains control over civilian life in Gaza, it has the ability to rebuild and strengthen itself, requiring the Israeli army to return and fight again in regions they've already targeted, Galant elaborated.
The Defense Minister refused to accept permanent Israeli military control in the Gaza Strip. He pressured Netanyahu to "make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian or military rule in the Gaza Strip".
Netanyahu holds onto control
In contrast, Netanyahu believes talk about post-Hamas rule is premature. In a video message, he said, "The destruction of Hamas is crucial to ensure that 'the day after' there's no one in Gaza who can threaten us." Netanyahu authorized Israeli security officials over 100 days ago to allow unidentified Gaza representatives to participate in distributing food. "However, this attempt was unsuccessful as Hamas intimidated them and even harmed some of them to deter others," he explained.
Netanyahu emphasized that as long as Hamas retains military control in Gaza, no one else will be willing to take over the civil administration in Gaza, fearing for their safety. "Therefore, talking about 'the day after' - while Hamas is still in control - is merely idle chatter," he declared. "Still, efforts to resolve this intricate issue have been ongoing for months."
Israel temporarily withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and dismantled over 20 Israeli settlements there. In 2006, Hamas won parliamentary elections against the more moderate Fatah party, led by Mahmoud Abbas. In 2007, Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip. Since then, Gaza and Ramallah have had two separate Palestinian governments. Over the years, there have been multiple violent conflicts between Israel and Hamas.
United States demands a tangible plan
The United States aims to have the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank's ruling organization, regain control over the Gaza Strip. This would promote a two-state solution to stabilize the Middle East. Israel opposed this plan. Following Galant's comments, Netanyahu reaffirmed he is "not ready to replace Hamas' domain with Fatah's." United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke in Kiev, stressing that the US government expects Israel to actively engage in crafting a "clear and practical plan" for Gaza's future.
The US has actively collaborated with Arab allies and others on this matter for months. It is "vital" that Israel also participates in developing a vision for Gaza's future, as the Israeli operation against Hamas concludes, Blinken said. The US will not support an Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip but also does not support control under Islamist Hamas's rule. Blinken warned about the potential chaos that could result if no clear governance system is established.
Ministers from Netanyahu's coalition's right-wing and far-right parties reinforced their call for a re-establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza. Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Tuesday, "We must return to Gaza now," per media reports. "We're moving back to our holy land. And secondly, we must encourage the voluntary exodus of Gaza residents."
Parts of Israel's right advocates for "Greater Israel," referring to an Israeli state encompassing the Palestinian territories - the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused Galant of "endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state, rewarding Hamas for their worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust."
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In response to Defense Minister Galant's push for a political alternative to Hamas rule in Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his stance that the discussion about post-Hamas governance is premature until a comprehensive defeat of the Islamist terrorist organization is achieved.
Despite strong opposition from right-wing and far-right coalition members, such as Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu has continued to argue against replacing Hamas's rule with that of the Palestinian Authority's Fatah party.
Source: www.ntv.de
