In a recent development, Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant has presented his “day after plan” for the Gaza Strip, outlining a vision for the territory once Israel completes its military operation against Hamas. The plan, known as the “vision for phase three”, was submitted to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet earlier this week. It proposes that an undefined Palestinian entity will take charge of the civil administration in Gaza, while Israel retains the ability to carry out military activities within the Strip.
Under this plan, neither Hamas nor Israel would govern the Gaza Strip once hostilities cease. However, there are certain conditions attached to this arrangement. Israel’s war in the territory will continue until the return of the hostages taken by Hamas, the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, and the elimination of any remaining military threats. Once these objectives are achieved, other Palestinian bodies will assume governance of the territory, with the aim of ensuring that Hamas no longer poses a security threat to Israel.
Israel would maintain the right to operate inside the Gaza Strip, similar to current arrangements in the occupied West Bank. However, there would be no constant civilian presence or Israeli settlements in the enclave after the war. Israel would also continue its intense supervision of Gaza’s border, potentially involving a blockade on the Strip via land, air, and sea, as well as inspections of all incoming and outgoing goods.
The plan does not specify which Palestinian officials would govern the strip, but Gallant stated that Palestinian bodies would be in charge, on the condition that there are no hostile actions or threats against Israel. He also addressed plans for the reconstruction and rebuilding of Gaza, stating that a coalition of international actors, including Arab and European states, would be responsible for this process.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed his preference for a civilian government to rule Gaza after the war, but he opposes the idea of the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, taking charge of the Gaza Strip. He has emphasized the need to “eliminate Hamas” before post-war plans can be implemented. Some right-wing Israeli politicians have called for the return of Israeli settlers to Gaza and the encouragement of emigration among the Palestinian population.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has stressed the importance of a political solution for the entire region, not just Gaza. He believes that Israel intends to create its own civil administration in Gaza under the Israeli occupying army. This is in contrast to the American vision of a post-war Gaza governed by a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on a visit to Israel, where discussions about Gaza’s post-war future are expected to take place. It remains to be seen how Gallant’s plan aligns with the American perspective and what implications it may have for the region going forward.
Overall, this plan presented by Israel’s defence minister has significant implications for the future of the Gaza Strip. It outlines a vision for post-war governance and highlights the ongoing complexities and challenges in the region. The involvement of various Palestinian bodies, international actors, and differing perspectives among Israeli and Palestinian leaders further contribute to the complexity of the situation. As discussions continue, it is crucial to ensure that any arrangements prioritize stability, security, and the well-being of the people in the Gaza Strip.
