The million-dollar question in Israel, which has remained unanswered since the lengthy 2014 war on Gaza, revolved around the “day after” regaining control of the territory.
In Israel’s small-scale security and political cabinet, questions such as “What should our actions be on the following day? Should we maintain our presence? Reoccupy Gaza? Restore the Palestinian Authority? Or should we withdraw and potentially face a resurgence of Hamas' power?” were raised.
The questions were discussed by thinkers, journalists, writers, security experts, retired military personnel, and intelligence agencies, including Mossad and Shin Bet.
However, these questions have remained unanswered.
Nine years later, Israel finds itself compelled to fight in the heart of Gaza with the goal of toppling and destroying Hamas’ rule. Nevertheless, the issue of the “day after” the overthrow of the movement’s rule continues to be a cause for concern, assuming that the Israelis succeed in their mission.
Security Control without Clear Answers
After a month of fierce conflict with the Palestinians and significant pressure from the US, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would assume “comprehensive security responsibility” in Gaza “for an unspecified period” following the conclusion of the war against Hamas.
Netanyahu conveyed to ABC News that Israel will take on comprehensive security responsibility for an unspecified period because it has witnessed what happens when it doesn’t.
“When we don't assume that security responsibility, what we end up with is a scale of terrorism (Hamas) beyond imagination,” said Netanyahu.
While this marks the first time the premier has spoken about Israel’s vision for the day after Hamas, it remains unclear what he means regarding the extent of security responsibility.
Was Netanyahu implying a desire to occupy Gaza, occupy a portion in the north of the territory, and establish a security buffer zone with Israeli forces for some time, or was he speaking about continuing operations as needed after a complete withdrawal?
Israeli officials insist they do not seek to occupy Gaza, and President Joe Biden’s administration has also expressed opposition to this scenario.
Amir Tibon, writing in Haaretz, suggests there is no exit plan from the current crisis, and US officials are concerned about the absence of a clear exit strategy.
He added that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised this during his recent visit to the Israeli government, but his impression of the Israeli responses is that “the matter was not explicitly put up for discussion.”
Israeli state-owned free-to-air television channel “Kan 11” confirmed that Netanyahu's government has begun outlining the broad parameters for the post-war scenario and the nature of security control in the Gaza Strip, driven by ongoing US pressures to make a decision on this matter.
Who Holds Civilian Authority?
Over the past 30 days, Israeli officials have put forth several scenarios, including altering the shape of Gaza, reducing its territory, establishing an international governing body, deploying peacekeeping forces, or the return of the Palestinian Authority.
While US officials confirmed that discussions are ongoing, following ideas presented by Blinken to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid believed that the Palestinian Authority is the sole entity capable of assuming control over Gaza after a victory over Hamas.
Lapid asserted that civilian control should rest with the PA, while security control in the foreseeable future should remain in the hands of the Israeli military.
