Israel says 'still very premature' to predict future of post-war Gaza

The Israeli government on Wednesday stated that it is currently too early to predict the potential governance scenarios for the Gaza Strip once Hamas is removed from power. They are engaging in international discussions on the matter.

Government spokesman Eylon Levy said, “It is still very premature to talk about the ‘day after’ Hamas scenarios. I wish the ‘day after’ Hamas were next week, but this is probably going to take longer.”

He added, “We’re exploring several contingencies together with our international partners for what the ‘day after’ will look like. But the “common denominator” is that the Gaza Strip will be “demilitarised” and “must never again” become a “terror nest”.

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and two years later imposed a crippling air, sea and land blockade, as Hamas took control of the Palestinian territory.

The month-long war erupted when Hamas militants killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in the worst attack in Israel since it was founded in 1948, according to Israeli officials.

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, also discussed the need for an “alternative mechanism for Gaza” post-military operation, emphasising that Hamas would not be a part of it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously indicated that Israel would maintain “overall security responsibility” for the Gaza Strip, which is home to 2.4 million people.

While the US has expressed support for Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned against the “reoccupation of Gaza” after the conflict concludes.

With inputs from agencies