Netanyahu: No Palestinian rule of any kind in post-war Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected any Palestinian involvement in the leadership and administration of the Gaza Strip after the end of Israel’s war against the enclave, according to a report on Friday.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronothreported, citing Israeli security sources, that Netanyahu remained opposed to the participation of Fatah, the ruling Palestinian Authority party in the West Bank, in the administration of the Gaza Strip after the war.

The report refers to comments made by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant last month criticizing Netanyahu, saying: “The day after the war will come only when the Palestinians gain control of Gaza with international support, and this body will be an administrative alternative to Hamas (…) This is in Israel’s national interest.”

However, Netanyahu broke with Gallant and rejected this idea completely.

“I am not ready to replace Hamas-stan with Fatah-stan,” which suggests that he is not ready to let Fatah rule the Gaza Strip instead of Hamas through the Palestinian Authority.

“The first condition for the day after (the war on Gaza) is the elimination of Hamas, and this must be done without excuses,” he added.

Netanyahu’s rejection, as it became known through The Washington Post on Friday that Gallant discussed plans for the “day after” with US officials during his solo visit to the US.

According to Gallant’s plan, which the American newspaper revealed, Gaza will be divided into 24 administrative zones to be administered by Palestinian forces trained by the US. The American newspaper clarified that to implement and monitor the plan, a committee will be formed, headed by the US and including an international force from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, it was reported.

However, Netanyahu’s office immediately denied the credibility of Gallant’s plan, calling it “false” and stating: “Those who finance, support and teach terrorism – including the Palestinian Authority – cannot be partners in administering the Gaza Strip the day after Hamas.”

Netanyahu said he reiterated his stance in recent meetings of the Security and Political Cabinet, as well as in meetings with American officials and the Israeli public.

Critics argue that Netanyahu’s refusal to allow Palestinians to control the Gaza Strip after the war is because he wants to keep Gaza in Israeli hands – supported by the far-right wing of his government under Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich – and possibly facilitate future Israeli settlements.

In his address to the “day after,” Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said: “The movement will decide on the administration of the sector after the war in accordance with the national consensus, based on the higher interests of our people in the Gaza Strip.”

He said Hamas would “support the people of Gaza in all matters related to the post-war period and adhere to the national vision that governs the unity of the West Bank and Gaza.”