Israel, U.S. Discuss Post-Hamas Rule in Gaza, Emphasizing Security Over Governance
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Israel and the United States appear to be engaged in extensive discussions regarding a post-Hamas strategy for the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
On the 7th, Israel announced that it would not seek to govern Gaza after dismantling the armed faction, Hamas, but would maintain security control to prevent the formation of new armed groups. The U.S., while opposing Israeli governance of Gaza, emphasized that the region should not become a terrorist base.
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Cohen, Israeli Foreign Minister: “No Governance in Gaza, Only Security Control”
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), stated that Israel has no intention of establishing a civilian government in Gaza after dismantling Hamas. Instead, they are considering handing over governance responsibilities to an international coalition or Gaza’s political leaders, including the U.S., European Union (EU), and several Muslim-majority countries.
Cohen emphasized, “We don’t want to govern Gaza or dominate their lives; we simply want to protect our citizens.”
WSJ noted that Israel seems disinterested in governing Gaza, like the United States’ failed attempt to rule Iraq after toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime 20 years ago.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also indicated that while Hamas would not remain in power after this war aimed at ousting them from Gaza City, Israel would not take over governance. However, Cohen mentioned that Israel could station troops in Gaza and enforce strict control if deemed necessary. He stated, “We must ensure that no weapons enter Gaza from any border, including Egypt. We will retain the right to confront terrorists who seek to build bases there.”
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Prime Minister Netanyahu: “Will Assume Indefinite Overall Security Responsibility”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with ABC News, stated, “We believe we must assume indefinite overall security responsibility because we have seen what happens when there is no security.”
Netanyahu and Cohen did not describe Israel’s future role as military occupation, leaving crucial questions unanswered regarding whether the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) plan to control all or part of Gaza. This flexibility may indicate that the details of post-war security arrangements are still in flux, as per WSJ analysis.
President Biden: “Israeli Gaza Occupation a Major Mistake” – Proposes Two-State Solution for Israel-Palestine Coexistence
The Biden administration has been cautious about Israel’s Gaza policy, as it is aware of the international backlash against the Gaza occupation.
President Biden has emphasized Israel’s right and duty to defend itself, but he has warned against occupying Gaza, calling it a “major mistake.” The Biden administration has cited the U.S.’s 10-year experience in Iraq since 2003 as a reference, arguing that limited and localized military operations could mitigate a catastrophic humanitarian situation and allow Israel to transfer control of Gaza relatively swiftly to a civilian government.
President Biden previously mentioned the importance of pursuing a solution where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in dignity and peace, advocating for a “two-state solution.”
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U.S. Expects Palestinian Authority (PA) to Govern Gaza After Hamas Ouster
The Biden administration expects the Palestinian Authority (PA) to take control of Gaza, particularly in the West Bank along the Jordan River, after Hamas’s rule ends.
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank on the 5th and clarified that the U.S. believes the PA should play a central role in Gaza’s future. Israel occupied Gaza following the Third Middle East War in 1967 but withdrew in 2005. Since Hamas forcefully ousted the PA and took control in 2007, Gaza has been under blockade.
John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) Spokesperson, commented in a CNN interview on Netanyahu’s recent statements, saying, “President Biden still believes that Israel’s occupation of Gaza is not good for Israel.” He expressed the commitment to ongoing dialogue with Israel regarding this matter.
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State Department Deputy Spokesperson: “We Do Not Support Israel’s Reoccupation of Gaza, But Gaza Cannot Be a Terrorist Base”
Statements from State Department Deputy Spokesperson Ned Price clarify the U.S. government’s position.
Price emphasized that the Palestinians themselves should lead any decision regarding Gaza, and Gaza will remain Palestinian territory. He added, “In general, we do not support the reoccupation of Gaza, and Israel shares this view.” This underscores the agreement between the two countries.
Furthermore, Price stated, “As of October 6th, we cannot go back to that state of affairs,” referring to the day before Hamas initiated attacks against Israel. He reiterated that both Israel and the region must remain safe, and Gaza must not serve as a base for terrorist attacks.
Israel’s Military Operations in Gaza Intensify
Israel’s discussions with the U.S. about “post-Hamas” plans coincide with an escalation of the current conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported taking control of a Hamas military stronghold in central Gaza City and launching attacks against Hamas militants barricaded near a hospital, according to The Times of Israel (TOI). The IDF has also occupied Hamas command and control centers and focused on driving Hamas fighters out of congested areas and overpopulated hospitals on the outskirts of Gaza City, as per TOI’s analysis.
The IDF reportedly discovered anti-tank missiles, launchers, intelligence materials, and other weapons in a Hamas stronghold in northern Gaza. According to IDF Senior Spokesperson Daniel Haggai, over 14,000 Hamas targets in Gaza have been struck so far, and more than 100 tunnel entrances have been destroyed. Haggai mentioned that the IDF had recovered over 4,000 weapons, including rockets, hidden in civilian infrastructure.
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel is advancing further south with unprecedented strength. He stated that thousands of terrorists have been removed from the ground and tunnels. He emphasized that Israel is progressing beyond what Hamas could ever have imagined and that the IDF is now in the heart of Gaza City.
Defense Minister Gallant, in a live televised press conference just before Netanyahu’s speech, confirmed that the IDF is currently in the heart of Gaza City. He described Gaza City as the largest-ever terrorist base and mentioned that IDF forces had entered Gaza from both the north and south on foot, in armored vehicles, tanks, and with combat engineers. He emphasized that the goal was to reach a single target in Gaza and that the IDF was setting traps in Gaza’s vicinity.
By. Ha Man Joo
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