Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed his plans for “the day after Hamas.”
Netanyahu asserted that the mission of the IDF includes destroying the military capabilities and governmental infrastructure of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the return of the remaining Israeli hostages, and preventing a future threat from Gaza directed at Israel.
He called for the dissolution of UNRWA —whose members have been accused of complicity with Hamas in the October 7 massacre of over 1200 Israelis — and said the IDF would retain the capacity for freedom of action in the entire Gaza Strip indefinitely while maintaining a “southern closure” on the Gaza-Egypt border in order to prevent the terrorists from reestablishing power within the Gaza Strip. The “Southern Fence,” in cooperation with Egypt, will be intended to prevent smuggling from Egypt underground and above ground.
To the east, Netanyahu stated, Israel will maintain security control over the entire area west of Jordan.
In Gaza, Israel will strive to let the civil administration and responsibility for public order be filled by local officials with administrative experience, although those individuals cannot be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism.
After Israel demobilizes from Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel will address the issue of stopping the inculcation of hatred of Israel in Gaza’s religious, educational, and welfare institutions, with the help of Arab countries that have promoted de-radicalization in their populace.
“Israel will work to close UNRWA, whose operatives were involved in the October 7 massacre, and whose schools taught terrorism and the destruction of Israel,” Arutz Sheva reported. “Israel will work to end UNRWA’s activities in the Gaza Strip and replace it with responsible international aid agencies.”
Meanwhile, National Unity leader Benny Gantz, who serves in Netanyahu’s cabinet, said Friday:
To the residents of the south, who yesterday received word from the Home Front Command about the security situation and the possibilities of returning to your towns, I would like to say that we understand your concerns. October 7th seriously damaged your faith in the state, and we have a responsibility to you to restore it through action. This will take time, and for that reason, the war will continue. In the future, we will operate deep within enemy territory, and not along the border.
“We will protect towns with additional forces and find Hamas terrorists wherever they are. We will be in Rafah, deep within enemy territory, and not stop until we have removed the threat and recovered the hostages,” he added.
He told residents of the north, thousands of whom have been forced to flee their homes because of attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon:
I promise that we will not stop fighting until you can return. We are pursuing political and military action. Hezbollah has already been pushed away from the border and we are waiting for the day of reckoning in which we will need to expand our operations. I intend to promote a plan to reinforce the north immediately, as promised. We will invest over the next few years in developing the north and south in an unprecedented manner. That is what is needed right now. We are thinking of you, residents of the south and north. We know how strong your communities are, and along with all of Israel, we will build, be built, and be victorious.