Defense Minister Gallant: Israel Will Take Any Action To Destroy Hamas, Has No Intention Of Living In Gaza

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with the Israeli military on the Gaza border. (Wikimedia Commons/Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

JAKARTA - Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his country had no intention of staying permanently in the Gaza Strip, open to discussing alternatives to who will control the region, as long as they are not groups hostile to Israel.

"Israel will take any action to destroy Hamas, but we have no intention of staying permanently in the Gaza Strip," he told reporters.

Defense Minister Gallant further explained that his party made significant progress, particularly in northern Gaza, where conditions have approached its "peaked point", two months since the Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel sparked war and more than a month since Israel launched a ground offensive.

He further said Israel was open to discussing alternatives to who might control Gaza after the war.

"The main condition is, will not be hostile to the Israeli state. All other things, in my opinion, can be discussed. What is certain is not Hamas, and also not Israel. We will safeguard our freedom to act, to operate militarily against any threats," he explained.

On that occasion, Defense Minister Gallant also called for, although not publicly, for Hamas fighters and commanders to surrender rather than be killed. On Monday, the Israeli military said it had so far arrested more than 500 Hamas militants and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Regarding the militant group Hezbollah, Defense Minister Gallant said Israel was open to a possible deal with the group, provided that each agreement included a safe zone along the border and appropriate guarantees.

"If Hezbollah allowed the deal process, and I will not discuss details now, but what is clear is that this cannot happen because it does not cover a situation where there is a safe distance from our fence to troops who can shoot into Israeli territory or forces that can take action in Israel. If this is possible, with appropriate guarantees, we can talk about it, "said Gallant.