Fighting in the Gaza Strip: Gallant presents post-war plan

The Israeli cabinet has discussed the next phase of the war against Hamas. A plan by Defense Minister Gallant also outlines the plans for the Gaza Strip after the end of the war.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has presented a plan for the period after the war in the Gaza Strip. Accordingly, after the fighting ends, there will be “neither Hamas” nor an “Israeli civil administration” in the Palestinian territory.

Gallant presented the broad outlines of his plan to the press before presenting it to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet. In recent weeks, the cabinet has been divided over how to proceed in the war against the terrorist organization Hamas.

Some right-wing Israeli ministers had previously spoken out in favor of Israeli repopulation of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war. Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also called for the Palestinian population to be “encouraged to emigrate to other countries in the world.” He followed a similar call from his cabinet colleague Bezalel Smotrich. Germany, France and the USA sharply criticized the statements.

“No presence of Israeli civilians” in the Gaza Strip

Gallant’s plan puts the Palestinians in charge of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war. “There will be no presence of Israeli civilians in the Gaza Strip after the war objectives have been achieved,” Gallant emphasized. Local Palestinian actors who are not hostile to Israel should take control of the Palestinian territory. The Israeli Defense Minister left it open which actors these could actually be.

Experts had previously named various scenarios for the Gaza Strip – including a return of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is dominated by the Palestinian organization Fatah. The USA is also aiming for the PA, which rules in the West Bank, to take control of the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is against it. Some representatives of the Fatah party expressed understanding for the Hamas massacre on October 7th in Israel.

Hamas violently drove the PA out of the coastal strip in 2007. Fatah and Hamas are the two largest Palestinian organizations and bitter rivals. In 2023 there was a rapprochement between the two again.

Gallant: Operational Freedom of action Reserved

According to Gallant’s wishes, the reconstruction should take place under the leadership of the USA and in cooperation with European and regional partners. Even after the end of the war, Israel will reserve “its operational freedom of action in the Gaza Strip” and will continue to control the goods that enter the coastal area.

All necessary measures would be taken to ensure that Gaza no longer posed a threat to Israel. “The residents of the Gaza Strip are Palestinians. Consequently, Palestinian units will be responsible (for administration) on the condition that there is no hostile action or threat against the State of Israel,” the defense minister said.

Army to move into third phase of war

Regarding the operations of the Israeli armed forces, he said that in a third phase the army would now move to a new combat approach in the northern Gaza Strip. This includes targeted raids, the destruction of tunnels, ground operations and air strikes to combat “remaining sources of terror in the area”. In the south, the Hamas leadership continues to be persecuted and the hostages are liberated. The operation there will continue “as long as it is deemed necessary,” it said.

Israel recently announced the return of some reservists home. This should also relieve the burden on the economy almost three months after the start of the war.

Gallant presented his plan on the eve of a return visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken wants to discuss in the Middle East how the conflict between Israel and Hamas can be prevented from expanding. There was initially no statement from Hamas or the Palestinian government in the West Bank.