Internal rift grows as Gallant challenges Netanyahu on post-war plans
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Several key extremist figures within Netanyahu's regime expressed outrage over Gallant's statements, with some likening his stance to being supportive of Palestinian statehood.
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Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant pauses while making a brief statement to the media with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, not pictured, at The Kirya, "Israel's" Ministry of Security, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine. (AP)
Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday sparked controversy by publicly voicing his opposition to Prime Minister Netanyahu's post-war strategy of establishing an Israeli military presence in the Gaza Strip.
The comments came shortly after Netanyahu posted a video online in which he declared that any discussion of post-war Gaza is meaningless unless the Palestinian Resistance is defeated. "Until it becomes clear that Hamas doesn't rule Gaza militarily, no actor will be ready to accept upon himself the civil rule of Gaza out of fear for his own safety," Netanyahu said.
During a press conference, Gallant told reporters that when the war on Gaza broke out, he attempted to promote a blueprint for an alternative Gaza administration "solely made up of Palestinians". But these efforts "got no response," he said, adding that such plans for a permanent Israeli presence are a "negative and dangerous option for Israel, from a strategic, military and security point of view."
"I will not accept the establishment of an Israeli military presence in Gaza," he said. "Israel must not exercise civilian control in Gaza."
"I call on the prime minister to announce that Israel will not rule over Gaza militarily," Gallant added. "An alternative to Hamas governance should be established ... Indecision will erode the military gains (of the war)."
Read more: 'Israel' not a 'vassal state' of the US: Netanyahu
Several key extremist figures within Netanyahu's regime expressed outrage over the matter, with some likening his stance to being supportive of Palestinian statehood.
"Gallant declared his support today for the establishment of a terrorist Palestinian state," remarked Minister of Intelligence Bezalel Smotrich. "It is up to the government to decide, and it is up to Gallant to decide whether he will work or return the keys," Smotrich said.
Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, on his part, called on removing Gallant from his position.
"According to Gallant, there is no difference whether the IDF soldiers will rule in Gaza or whether Hamas murderers will rule there. This is the essence of the security minister's concept, which failed on October 7 and continues to fail now. Such a security minister must be replaced in order to achieve the goals of the war," Ben-Gvir wrote in a tweet.
Read more: CNN exposes horrible Israeli torture methods on Palestinian detainees
Knowing that the Palestinian Resistance cannot be defeated, "Israel's" army has been under extreme pressure on part of the executive.
Yet, despite the heavy losses suffered by the Israeli forces, Netanyahu and his extremist cabinet seem to be downplaying the significance of these defeats.
Israeli War Cabinet Benny Gantz, on the other hand, said that security minister Gallant spoke the truth' about Gaza post-war Planning.
After "Israel" began its invasion of Rafah earlier this month, the US decided to suspend deliveries of weapons, citing the lack of a clear plan to evacuate civilians.
This has added further strain on the military which is currently battling a multi-front war.
