Israeli Defence Minister unveils governance proposal for post-war Gaza

New Delhi, Jan 5: Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has presented a vision for the future governance of Gaza once the conflict between Israel and Hamas concludes, as reported by BBC News.

According to the minister, there would be limited Palestinian rule in the territory, with Hamas losing control, and Israel maintaining overall security control.

Despite ongoing fighting in Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties, Gallant outlined his "four corners" plan, which includes Israel retaining security control, a multinational force overseeing reconstruction post-Israeli bombing, and an unspecified role for neighbouring Egypt.

Gallant emphasized that Palestinians would be responsible for running the territory, with the condition of refraining from hostile actions or threats against Israel.

The plan faced minimal discussion during a cabinet meeting, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on it. However, some ministers reportedly objected to names proposed for an investigation into the events surrounding a previous Hamas attack.

Internal disagreements within Israel persist regarding the future of Gaza. While some far-right members advocate for encouraging Palestinian citizens to leave for exile and reestablish Jewish settlements, Gallant's proposals are considered more practical but are likely to be rejected by Palestinian leaders, who advocate for Gazans taking full control of the territory after the conflict.

Gallant's plan also outlined the Israeli military's strategy for the next phase of the conflict in Gaza. In the north, a targeted approach involving raids, tunnel demolitions, and air and ground strikes is planned.

In the south, efforts will focus on locating Hamas leaders and rescuing Israeli hostages. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently reported hitting areas in Gaza's north and south, including Gaza City and Khan Younis.

The situation remains tense, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expected to visit the region amid heightened tensions following the assassination of a top Hamas leader in Beirut, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.