Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has presented proposals for the post-war administration of Gaza. The plan, which has not yet been adopted by Israel’s war cabinet, states that neither Israel nor Hamas will govern Gaza and rejects future Jewish settlements in the area. The proposal comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, despite international calls for a cease-fire.
The situation in Gaza has become dire, with much of the territory reduced to rubble and civilian deaths soaring. The UN has warned of a humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced and facing famine and disease. Bombing has continued throughout the night in various areas of Gaza, resulting in a death toll of 162 over the past 24 hours.
According to Gallant’s proposed outline, the war will continue until Israel has dismantled Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and secured the return of hostages. After achieving these objectives, Palestinian civil committees will begin assuming control of the territory’s governance. The plan emphasizes that neither Israel nor Hamas will govern Gaza’s civilians, and Palestinian bodies will be in charge as long as there are no hostile actions or threats against Israel.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7. Since then, around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, have been killed, and around 250 hostages were taken, with 132 still in captivity. Israel’s relentless bombardment and ground invasion have resulted in the deaths of at least 22,600 people, mostly women and children. The UN estimates that 1.9 million people in Gaza are displaced.
The conditions for Gaza’s civilians are precarious, with a significant collapse in health conditions and the spread of disease. The influx of displaced people has overwhelmed the city of Rafah, which is now home to more than 1.3 million people compared to its usual population of 250,000. There is an urgent need for 50,000 tents to house the refugees.
Aid entering Gaza has slowed during the war, with access delays and denials hindering the delivery of urgently needed life-saving aid. The United Nations’ humanitarian office has been unable to deliver aid to the north of Wadi Gaza for four days due to these challenges.
The war in Gaza and the frequent exchanges of fire across the border have also raised tensions with Israel’s northern neighbor, Lebanon. A strike in Lebanon, assumed to be carried out by Israel, killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Al-Aruri. Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed movement in Lebanon, has vowed to retaliate for the killing on its home turf. Israel’s military has conducted fresh strikes against Hezbollah targets just across the border in Lebanon.
The frequent bombardments have forced 76,000 people from their homes on the Lebanese side of the border. Israel had previously evacuated thousands of its civilians from the border area in the early weeks of the war.
In light of the ongoing conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region for the fourth time since the war began. He plans to discuss immediate measures to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Germany’s top diplomat, Annalena Baerbock, will also travel to the region to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border.
As the conflict continues, it is crucial for international efforts to focus on providing humanitarian aid and working towards a cease-fire. The proposals put forward by Israel’s Defense Minister offer a potential path for the post-war administration of Gaza, but concrete actions need to be taken to address the immediate needs of civilians and prevent further loss of life.