Israel’s government is currently divided over the future of Gaza after the war, and the latest plan proposed by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has only heightened the debate. Gallant’s plan is not yet the official stance of the Israeli government, as it must first be debated by the war and security cabinets. The plan suggests that Palestinians should govern themselves after the war, but it does not specify who would be responsible for this. The plan does not mention the Palestinian Authority (PA) or any other group that would take on the role of governing Gaza. The United States has previously expressed support for a reformed PA to govern Gaza, but the PA has rejected this idea. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued against giving the PA control over both the West Bank and Gaza, as it would make it harder for Israel to claim that there is no partner for peace. Gallant’s position is that Hamas should have no role in the post-war governance of Gaza and that the militant group will be defeated in this war.
It is unclear what “maintaining security” would entail for the 2.3 million people living in Gaza. Gallant calls for Israel to maintain security control of the Gaza Strip after the war, a position that Netanyahu also supports. This could mean that the Israeli military continues to have operational control over Gaza, conducting raids, targeted attacks, and assassinations of Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders. The plan does not mention a permanent Israeli military presence, leaving it uncertain whether there will be one. Palestinians have been waiting for a shift in the Israeli military’s approach for the past few weeks, as they continue to endure airstrikes and bombings.
Under Gallant’s plan, Egypt would play a significant role in the future of Gaza. Egypt has already taken a leading role in negotiating temporary truces and prisoner exchanges, and it has put forward its own plan to end the war. However, Israel will not agree to any plan that allows Hamas to remain in Gaza, and Hamas will not accept a deal where it is not included in the final solution.
Eventually, Gaza will need to be rebuilt after the war. Gallant suggests that an international force composed of European and Arab countries should be responsible for this task. However, wealthy Gulf Arab nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia have previously provided aid to Gaza, only to see it destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. These countries would want assurances that the Israeli military will not wage war in Gaza again.
Israel is unlikely to relinquish full control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, or sea after the war. Gallant does not advocate for the return of Israeli settlers to Gaza, a proposal made by some far-right ministers in the government. Inside Gaza, the situation remains dire, with health officials reporting a high number of casualties and a lack of aid reaching the displaced population.
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