Gaza’s post-war governance and options are at the center of controversy both inside Israel and abroad, with Israel’s defense minister calling on Netanyahu to “make tough decisions” as war gains are at stake.

In particular, in a televised speech, Defense Minister Yoav Gallad, addressing the Israeli prime minister, must take “tough decisions” to advance the governance of Gaza by excluding Hamas, because the war’s gains are being eroded and Israel’s long-term security is at stake.

He also warns that he will not acquiesce to any Israeli political or military rule of Gaza and that rule by Palestinians other than Hamas is in Israel’s best interest. Netanyahu, he added, must publicly rule out the idea of ​​continued Israeli rule in the Strip.

Hours after Netanyahu said talks about “the next day” in Gaza are meaningless until Hamas is defeated, Gallad clarified that failure to find a replacement for Hamas in the Gaza Strip would undermine Israel’s military achievements as the terrorist group manages to regroup and exercises political control.

“As long as Hamas maintains control over civilian life in Gaza, it can rebuild and strengthen, thereby requiring the IDF to return and fight in areas where it has already operated.”

“We must dismantle Hamas’s governance capabilities in Gaza. The key to this goal is military action and the creation of a government alternative in Gaza,” he says in his televised statement.

“If there is no such alternative, there are only two negative options left: Hamas rule in Gaza or Israeli military rule in Gaza,” the Israeli defense minister warned. “The meaning of indecision is to choose one of the negative options. It would erode our military achievements, reduce pressure on Hamas and sabotage the chances of reaching a framework for the release of the hostages,” he noted.

Gallant claims that since October, during security cabinet meetings, he raised the issue of finding a replacement for Hamas, but was not heard.

“The end of the military campaign must be combined with political action. The “day after Hamas” will only be achieved with Palestinian entities taking control of Gaza, accompanied by international actors, establishing a governmental alternative to Hamas rule. This, above all, is the interest of the state of Israel,” he says. “Unfortunately, this issue was not brought up for discussion and, worse, no alternative was presented in its place.”

He adds: “A dangerous trend is developing that promotes the idea of ​​Israeli military and political rule in Gaza.”

“This is a negative and dangerous choice for the State of Israel strategically, militarily and from a security perspective,” he continues.

“[Εάν αυτή είναι η απόφαση]the military rule of Gaza becomes Israel’s primary security and military effort in the coming years, at the expense of other solutions, the price would be bloodshed and casualties, as well as a heavy economic toll,” Galland says.