Israeli Defense Minister Gallant Says Gaza Must Be Ordered By Palestinians

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (black uniform) in Gaza. (Twitter/@yoavgallant)

JAKARTA - The Gaza Strip will be managed by Palestinians, after the threat of radical groups is removed, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a televised address.

"Palestinians live in Gaza and therefore the Palestinian people will rule Gaza in the future," he said as reported by TASS on January 16.

"The future government authorities in Gaza must emerge from within the Gaza Strip, based on actors who are not hostile to the State of Israel," he continued.

"The end of the military campaign must be based on policy," said Defense Minister Gallant.

Defense Minister Gallant also noted, "political doubts can harm the progress of military operations".

"I have submitted a plan to the cabinet. The cabinet and government's duties discuss the plan like any other plan, and determine its goals," he said without elaborating.

Earlier, the Defense Minister of Gallant asked the Israeli government on January 14, to take steps to strengthen the position of the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank to fight the Hamas movement, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Earlier this year, Defense Minister Gallant said Gaza civilians would regulate civilian problems in the region, while fixed security control by Israel, once the Palestinian enclave's military campaign goal was achieved.

"There will be no Israeli civilian presence in the Gaza Strip after the war's goal is achieved," said Defense Minister Gallant, quoted by The Times of Israel.

"Gaza residents are Palestinians, therefore Palestinian bodies will take responsibility on condition that there is no hostility towards Israel," he stressed.

As for who will manage Gaza's security after the war, the defense minister said Israel would not allow Hamas to control Gaza, or pose a security threat to its citizens. Therefore, they will maintain their operational freedom of action in Gaza.