Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has outlined a vision for post-conflict Gaza, stating that local Palestinians will manage civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip, while Israel will maintain security control after the current conflict concludes. In his press briefing on Thursday, Gallant emphasized that there would be no Israeli civilian presence in Gaza once the war's objectives are achieved.
Gallant stated, "Gaza residents are Palestinian, therefore Palestinian bodies will be in charge on the condition that there will be no hostility to Israel." He asserted that Israel will not allow Hamas to govern Gaza or jeopardize the safety of its people, reserving the freedom of action for Israel to ensure security in the region.
The Defense Minister announced the transition to what he termed as Phase III of the conflict, involving raids, the destruction of "terror" tunnels, aerial and ground activities, and special operations. In the evening, the Israeli Government Press Office released a statement outlining the combat objectives of Phase III, focusing on eroding remaining "terror" hotspots in the Gaza Strip.
The statement specified that in the southern region of Gaza, operational efforts are concentrated on eliminating Hamas leadership and facilitating the return of hostages. It emphasized that the fighting will continue for as long as deemed necessary to achieve these objectives. This announcement underscores Israel's strategic approach and commitment to address security concerns in the region during the ongoing conflict.
(With Agency Inputs)
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