Israel’s defence minister has laid out the next steps after the war with Hamas, detailing the framework for governing Gaza.
Yoav Gallant stated that Israel would retain security control while a yet-to-be-determined Palestinian authority, guided by Israel, would manage day-to-day administration. Reconstruction efforts would be overseen by the US and other nations.
Gallant further outlined plans to deescalate the conflict, introducing a new combat strategy in northern Gaza, while maintaining ongoing operations against Hamas in the south. Israel faced significant pressure to clarify its post-war strategy for Gaza, a matter expected to be discussed during talks involving Blinken, Israel, and regional nations over the weekend.
The vagueness of Gallant’s plan poses challenges in predicting the US stance. However, the US has urged Israel to reduce its military actions in Gaza, given escalating civilian casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis.
According to Palestinian authorities, over 22,000 people, primarily women and children, have lost their lives since the conflict began on October 7. Gallant presented his strategy in a document called “Vision for Phase 3” of the war, although his office clarified that this phase had not yet commenced.
These ideas, attributed to Gallant, are not official policies, which will be determined by Israel’s war and security cabinets. Following Hamas’ attack on October 7, Israel had vowed to dismantle the group, resulting in 1,200 casualties and the abduction of 240 individuals.
A significant portion of northern Gaza lies in ruins due to Israeli airstrikes, displacing approximately 85% of the Strip’s 2.3 million inhabitants. The Wall Street Journal reported that nearly half of Gaza’s structures sustained damage or were destroyed amid the conflict.
