from CNN
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday unveiled plans for the next phase of the war in Gaza, featuring a new combat approach in the north and a sustained focus on targeting Hamas leaders in the enclave’s southern territory.
In the third phase, Israel Defense Forces soldiers in northern Gaza will adopt a “new combat approach” encompassing “raids, the destruction of terror tunnels, aerial and ground activities, and special operations,” according to Gallant.
In southern Gaza, the Israeli military will continue its pursuit of Hamas leaders in the region “for as long as necessary,” Gallant said. Israeli forces stationed in the south will also focus on “enabling the return of the hostages” still in captivity, he added.
Post-war planning: In a three-page document, Gallant also provided details of the fourth and supposed final phase of the war, entitled the "Day After."
The post-war phase announced by Gallant envisages a Gaza no longer controlled by Hamas, which would no longer “pose a security threat to the citizens of Israel.”
Once the "goals of the war have achieved" there would be "no Israeli civilian presence in the Gaza Strip," according to his plan.
Israel would, however, maintain its “operational freedom of action in the Gaza strip” and continue to "carry out the inspection of goods entering the Gaza strip," the plan stated.
The defense minister also unveiled the concept of a multinational task force led by the United States in partnership with "European and regional partners” charged with the "rehabilitation" of the strip.
In this phase, Israel would also continue dialogue with Egypt, a country Gallant described as a "major actor."
The minister provided scant detail on the future governance of the enclave, however, merely saying that the entity controlling the territory would build on the capabilities of "non-hostile" elements already present in Gaza.
Talks for a pathway to Palestinian state: US officials have previously said they ultimately envision both Gaza and the West Bank being ruled by a unified government led by a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority. At present, the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, having lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007.
A regional delegation comprising officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority emphasized in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in December that they will need assurances there is a path toward a Palestinian state if they are going are to play a role in the reconstruction of Gaza.
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