Israeli Minister Proposes Gaza Reconstruction Plan Amid Government Infighting
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant proposes a post-war plan for Gaza, aiming to maintain security control of the strip Amid internal political divisions, tensions rise as far-right cabinet officials push for the relocation of Palestinians International outrage intensifies
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has put forth a post-war proposal for Gaza, suggesting that Israel maintain security control over the strip while the country's internal political divisions are exposed and there is international outrage over a move by far-right cabinet members to move Palestinians elsewhere. In a three-page document, Gallant shared plans for the next phase of the Gaza conflict and outlined what could happen next, dubbing it the "Day After." He reiterated the Israeli military's goal of dismantling "remaining terror hotspots" and removing the presence of Hamas in Gaza.
He proposed a "new strategy" that would involve targeting Hamas leaders in the southern Gaza strip and conducting raids, destroying terror tunnels, and carrying out aerial and ground activities in the northern part. Additionally, he suggested that the IDF would maintain operational freedom in Gaza and continue inspecting goods entering the territory post-war.
Gallant, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's center-right Likud party, stated that once the war's objectives are accomplished, there will be no Israeli civilians in the Gaza Strip. This appears to eliminate the possibility of re-establishing the Israeli settlements in Gaza that Israel unilaterally removed in 2005.
The defense minister also introduced the idea of a multinational task force, led by the United States and including European and regional partners, responsible for the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip. Additionally, Israel would engage in ongoing discussions with neighboring Egypt, which Gallant referred to as a "major player" in the region.
The minister's plan lacked details on the future governance of the enclave, only stating that the Palestinian "entity controlling the territory" would "enhance the capabilities" of "local non-hostile actors" already in Gaza.
Gallant's plan was criticized on Friday by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the far-right, who, along with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, has pushed for the resettlement of Gazans. Their remarks have been condemned by the United States, United Nations officials, and several Arab states.
On Facebook, Smotrich stated that "The Day After is just a repeat of The Day Before on October 7th," in reference to the date of the Hamas terror attack that resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 200 hostages.
He also emphasized the need for a new approach to resolving the situation in Gaza, suggesting voluntary migration and complete security control, including the reestablishment of settlements.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, pictured on December 18, proposed a post-war plan for Gaza on Thursday.
The relentless bombing and blockade by Israel has transformed large areas of Gaza into a desolate wasteland, putting over 2.2 million people in danger of severe dehydration, starvation, and disease. The United Nations reports that at least 1.93 million Palestinians have been forced to flee from their homes.
Regional stakeholders in the Middle East have frequently compared the mass exodus of Palestinians in Gaza to the "Nakba," which is the Arabic term for the expulsion or flight of Palestinians from their towns during the establishment of Israel in 1948.
As of October 7, the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 22,600 individuals, with 70% of the casualties being women and children, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry on Friday.
Tensions flare
Prior to this, Smotrich had mentioned that relocating Gazans from the strip could open up opportunities for Israelis to "make the desert bloom," while Ben Gvir had proposed that the ongoing conflict presented a chance to focus on promoting the emigration of Gaza residents.
Smotrich, a Jewish nationalist, has rejected the idea of a Palestinian people or nationhood. Ben Gvir has a previous conviction for inciting racism against Arabs and supporting a terrorist organization.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (left) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (right) have proposed relocating Palestinians outside of Gaza to accommodate Israeli settlers, sparking concerns about a potential Palestinian exodus.
Earlier in the week, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller strongly criticized the "inflammatory and irresponsible" remarks made by Smotrich and Ben Gvir, stating that Israel had consistently assured the US that such statements did not represent the Israeli government's policy.
In response to the US statement, Ben Gvir referred to the US as a "good friend" but suggested that the "emigration of hundreds of thousands from Gaza" would enable Israeli settlers to return and "live in security."
Smotrich also addressed the US State Department's criticism, stating on X: "Over 70% of the Israeli population currently backs a humanitarian approach to promoting the voluntary emigration of Gaza Arabs and their resettlement in other nations."
European and Saudi leaders strongly criticized the statements made by Israeli far-right cabinet members, and a UN official cautioned that relocating Palestinians outside of Gaza by force "constitutes an act of genocide."
Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN's special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, condemned the forcible transfer of the Gazan population as an act of genocide, particularly due to the significant number of children affected. The UN's human rights chief Volker Turk also expressed deep concern over high-level Israeli officials' statements regarding plans to transfer Gazan civilians to third countries.
EUs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized on Wednesday that forced displacements are a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law and stressed the importance of the use of appropriate words. US officials have previously stated their long-term goal of a unified government in both Gaza and the West Bank, led by a strengthened Palestinian Authority. Currently, the Palestinian Authority has limited self-rule in the West Bank and lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas in 2007.
A group of Arab officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority stressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a December meeting the importance of assurances for the establishment of a Palestinian state in order for Arab states to participate in the rebuilding of Gaza.
Reporting contributed by CNNs Jennifer Hansler, Priscilla Alvarez, Natasha Bertrand, Irene Nasser, Alireza Hajihosseini, Manveena Suri, Abeer Salman, Eyad Kourdi, and Abbas Al Lawati.
