Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz mentioned on Tuesday (Dec 17) that his nation’s forces can be free to behave within the Gaza Strip even after its battle with Hamas ends.
“After eliminating Hamas’s navy and governmental capabilities in Gaza, Israel would have safety management over Gaza with full freedom of motion” for the Israeli navy, Katz mentioned in a submit on X, noting that it was his personal “place”.
Katz mentioned that Israel’s future management over Gaza must be “precisely like in Judea and Samaria”, the biblical names for the West Financial institution which Israel has occupied since 1967 and the place its forces conduct frequent raids.
The query of Gaza’s post-war governance has remained unresolved, greater than a yr since Israel vowed to crush Hamas in retaliation for its Oct 7, 2023 assault.
Katz’s predecessor Yoav Gallant had voiced agency opposition to any extended Israeli management of Gaza, from which Israel withdrew troops and settlers in 2005 after a long time of direct rule.
In Could, then as defence minister, Gallant mentioned that he would “not conform to the institution of an Israeli navy administration in Gaza”.
“Israel should not have civilian management over the Gaza Strip,” Gallant mentioned on the time, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to plan a post-war plan for the territory.
Netanyahu sacked Gallant in November, citing disagreements over battle insurance policies.
The Israeli chief changed Gallant with Katz, a former international minister who Israeli analysts say is extra prone to endorse the Netanyahu’s views.
Hamas seized full management of Gaza in 2007, capping months of clashes with different Palestinian factions after it gained legislative elections the yr earlier than.
The Hamas assault that sparked the battle resulted within the deaths of 1,208 individuals, largely civilians, in response to an AFP tally based mostly on official Israeli figures and consists of hostages killed in captivity.
Israel’s retaliatory marketing campaign has killed no less than 45,028 individuals in Gaza, most of them civilians, in response to the figures from the Hamas-run territory’s well being ministry which the United Nations considers dependable.
