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Total Palestinian Rejection of Gaza Tribal Rule Plans

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant (File photo: Reuters)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant (File photo: Reuters)
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Total Palestinian Rejection of Gaza Tribal Rule Plans

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant (File photo: Reuters)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant (File photo: Reuters)

bIsraeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented for the first time a post-war plan, according to which Hamas would not have governed the Gaza Strip.

Under the plan, Hamas would no longer control Gaza and Israel would maintain military operational freedom, but there would be no Israeli civilian presence there.

Talk about the “day after” the war has been a significant point of discussion, and questions about the form of the Strip’s management, especially its security aspect, remain without clear answers.

- Gallant plan

Gallant revealed to reporters the outlines of the plan before presenting it to the Military Ministerial Council headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The plan states that residents of northern Gaza will not be permitted to return to their homes until all hostages held in Gaza are returned and notes that there are no plans for a reoccupation or resettlement of Gaza after the goals of the war have been achieved.

Israel will carry out a “joint operation with Egypt” in cooperation with the US to “effectively control the border” and prevent the smuggling of weapons from Sinai into the Palestinian Strip.

The plan also stipulates that Hamas will not rule Gaza, and Israel will not govern Gaza civilians, noting that Palestinian bodies will be in charge, with the condition that there will be no hostile actions or threats against Israel.

It focuses on the civil governance of the Strip, with Israel retaining military control on the borders and the right to take any military and security action necessary inside Gaza.

- Tribal rule

Tribal leaders in Gaza rejected Israeli post-war plans, excluding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The Commissioner-General of the Supreme Authority of Palestinian Tribes in Gaza, Akef al-Masry, issued a warning against the plan.

Masry said the “occupying state” seeks to cover up its failures in Gaza and create strife in the Palestinian society.

He asserted that the Palestinian tribes are an integral part of the society, rejecting the Israeli conspiracies to eliminate national rights.

The official lauded the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their resistance, calling on all to make a united national decision that rises to the level of sacrifice.

Masry called on all Palestinian, Arab, and international parties to take urgent action to stop the genocide, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid and medical and relief supplies, and guarantee shelter for citizens until reconstruction is completed.

In a statement on Friday, the Palestinian Presidency firmly reiterated its clear stance, emphasizing that halting the Israeli aggression against the people is the top national priority for the time being.

The Presidency rejected any plans beyond these parameters, deeming them categorically unacceptable.

The statement emphasized the importance of a political horizon based on international legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative, ending the occupation, and the recognition of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.

Gallant’s plan is inspired by the “Emirates Project” for the future of the Gaza Strip.

The “Emirates Project” was initiated about ten years ago by right-wing professor Mordechai Kedar, a Begin-Sadat Institute for Studies member.

Kedar claimed the Palestinian Emirates Plan’ was the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He indicated that the West Bank would be linked to the tribes and families, in addition to the emirate that arose ten years ago in Gaza and is ruled by Hamas.

At the time, Kedar stressed that his project was based on the successful model of the United Arab Emirates.

However, the Kedar project discussed the Gaza Strip as a single emirate in addition to the emirates of the West Bank.

Gallant called for a multinational task force, led by the US in partnership with European and moderate Arab nations, to take responsibility for running civil affairs and the economic rehabilitation of the Strip.

Palestinian administrative mechanisms will be maintained, provided the relevant officials are not affiliated with Hamas.

- Israeli rejects the plan

The plan was met with strong opposition from the Israeli right, which insists on deporting the people of Gaza.

Minister Benny Gantz wondered if a single Palestinian would accept the plan.

Journalist Nahum Barnea wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth that tribal leaders will manage Gaza according to the proposal of officials in the security apparatus.

He recalled that the proposal was tried once, in 1977, and ended in resounding failure. At the time, they called it village associations.

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Arab World

Lebanon’s Finance Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Depositors’ Funds to Be Recovered in Three Phases

Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassin Jaber (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir) 
Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassin Jaber (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir) 
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Lebanon’s Finance Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Depositors’ Funds to Be Recovered in Three Phases

Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassin Jaber (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir) 
Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassin Jaber (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir) 

Yassin Jaber, Lebanon’s Finance Minister and head of the Lebanese delegation to the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, said that the recovery of depositors’ funds in Lebanese banks will take place in three consecutive phases.

Acknowledging US pressure to shut down the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association affiliated with Hezbollah, Jaber emphasized the need for a defensive policy aimed at disarming militias. He also spoke of Lebanon’s “natural” return to the “Arab embrace,” describing relations with Arab states — particularly Saudi Arabia — as “excellent.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Jaber described his meetings on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank gatherings as “generally positive,” stressing the importance of the visit in helping to bridge the trust gap that had widened over the years between Lebanon and the international community, as well as with its Arab allies.

He noted that the meetings with IMF representatives included the presentation of “essential reforms” approved by the Lebanese government, emphasizing that these reforms were not being implemented to appease external parties but were necessary steps for the benefit of Lebanon itself and its people.

The minister explained that reforms in sectors like electricity are aimed at providing better services to Lebanese citizens, enabling them to pay lower bills and receive uninterrupted electricity supply, rather than relying on costly private generators.

Jaber considered the recent parliamentary vote to amend banking secrecy laws — passed by a majority of 87 votes — a clear vote of confidence in the government’s reform efforts. He also mentioned a new draft law for restructuring the banking sector, which has been referred to the parliamentary Finance Committee for expedited review before being presented to the general assembly.

Regarding the recovery of depositors’ funds, Jaber stressed that Lebanon’s current priorities are broad and simultaneous, encompassing agreements with the IMF and World Bank, addressing the issue of unpaid sovereign debt, banking sector reform, and returning funds to depositors.

He revealed that Lebanon’s new Central Bank Governor, Karim Saeed, is preparing a comprehensive plan to restructure banks and return depositors’ funds.

“No banking system worldwide can return all depositors’ money at once. Recovery will occur in phases, beginning with middle-income depositors — those with balances of $100,000 or less — who represent 84 percent of all depositors,” Jaber said, adding that larger deposits will be addressed subsequently, with amounts up to $500,000 or even $1 million, before moving to higher brackets. Although the plan will be presented in full, the payouts will be made gradually over time, he noted.

The Lebanese minister underlined the critical need for a functioning banking sector that is adequately capitalized and compliant with international standards. He explained that if certain banks fail to meet these requirements, they may be merged, either individually or through the consolidation of two or three banks to achieve stability. Jaber also warned that Lebanon’s inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list resulted from the country’s reliance on cash transactions, and that restoring trust in the banking sector and reducing cash-based activity are essential for Lebanon’s removal from the list.

In addressing the US call to shut down Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Jaber said the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Central Bank Governor and not the Finance Ministry, noting that the authorities will observe developments closely.

Touching on Lebanon’s gold reserves, he said: “These assets bolster confidence in the Central Bank’s holdings and its future credibility.”

He lamented past policy errors under former Governor Riad Salameh, which, he said, will now be avoided. He also categorically ruled out any move to liquidate the gold reserves, explaining that such a decision is not within the authority of the Central Bank Governor, the finance minister, or even the government.

“Any move to sell gold would require a parliamentary decision, and at present, this issue is not under discussion,” the minister told Asharq Al-Awsat.

On the sensitive issue of Hezbollah’s arms, Jaber explained that the Lebanese Army is deployed in the South and is rigorously implementing United Nations Resolution 1701. He emphasized the importance of empowering the army with sufficient resources and proper organization to fulfill its duties.

“President Joseph Aoun, who handles this file with deep understanding gained from his years as an army commander, is managing the matter wisely,” he said. While there remains pressure, logistical and manpower challenges continue to hinder full deployment, with efforts underway to recruit thousands of additional troops, according to the minister.

Jaber noted that all political parties, including Hezbollah, have expressed respect for the army and a willingness to cooperate with it. He stressed that the President remains committed to developing a national defense strategy and will soon convene dialogue sessions to move this process forward, urging patience and time for these initiatives to materialize.

Turning to Lebanon’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab world, Jaber stated: “It is natural for Lebanon to belong within the Arab fold,” citing the historic ties and the presence of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese expatriates in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. He described the current relationships as “extremely positive,” saying: “Our hand is extended, and we are making every effort to maintain the best possible relations with our Arab brothers.”

He further praised Arab countries as Lebanon’s “big brothers,” expressing gratitude for their continued concern and support for Lebanon’s stability and prosperity. Jaber emphasized that no other country could have withstood the sequence of crises Lebanon has faced — including the 2019 financial collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the COVID-19 pandemic, a prolonged presidential vacuum, a paralyzed government, a suspended Parliament, and over a year of conflict.

The minister reminded Arab nations that Lebanon continues to host two million Syrian refugees, drawing a comparison by suggesting that if the United States hosted 120 million Mexicans for two years, it too would be overwhelmed. He concluded by calling on Lebanon’s Arab and international allies to stand by the country as it strives to implement genuine, structural reforms across all sectors.