In his first public comments on Israel’s post-war plans for Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would likely maintain security control over Gaza for an indefinite period. This revelation, made during an interview with ABC News, highlights Israel’s intent to ensure Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, no longer poses a threat. While Netanyahu refrained from detailing the specific security mechanisms, he stressed Israel’s need for continued oversight to prevent further attacks, recalling the deadly October 7 incident when Hamas gunmen crossed into Israel, killing over 1,400 people and capturing 242 hostages.
Following this unprecedented attack, Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Hamas, attacking Gaza by land, sea, and air. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 10,000 Palestinians have since been killed in the ongoing conflict.
Addressing the question of Gaza’s governance after the war, Netanyahu hinted that only groups unaffiliated with Hamas should lead, yet firmly stated that Israel’s overall security responsibility in Gaza would be essential. “When we don’t have that security responsibility, we have the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn’t imagine,” he said.
Before the current conflict, Israel and Egypt blockaded Gaza to prevent weapon supplies from reaching Hamas. Israel maintained strict border and airspace control, allowing limited entry of goods such as food and medical supplies. However, this blockade did not deter Hamas and other militant groups from carrying out periodic attacks on Israel, which often responded with airstrikes.
While Netanyahu’s vision for Gaza’s security future remains unclear, the prospect of a permanent security role could draw international criticism. U.S. President Joe Biden cautioned against re-occupation, suggesting it would be a significant misstep. Although Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the United Nations still views the territory as under Israeli occupation due to Israel’s comprehensive border control.
Netanyahu’s comments signal a pivotal shift in Israel’s stance toward Gaza, emphasizing a cautious approach to post-war governance aimed at preventing further hostilities from Hamas and securing long-term peace for Israeli communities.