JAKARTA - Israel will maintain military control in the Gaza Strip after the war is over, thus granting freedom to operate as is currently being done in the West Bank, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

"After the war ended, I thought it was clear Hamas would not control Gaza. Israel would control it militarily but would not control it civilianly," Defense Minister Gallant said at a briefing at his office, Tel Aviv.

"When we talk about freedom of military operations, see what happened tonight in Jenin," Defense Minister Gallant continued, referring to a counterterrorism operation inside a hospital in the West Bank city, where troops killed three people suspected of planning a major attack inspired by the Hamas attack on October 7.

"This is the freedom of military operations at the highest level, but we do not control the region in a civilian sense," said Defense Minister Gallant.

"This can be achieved (in Gaza as well) and it will take time," he said.

He also said the current efforts to uncover and destroy the existing Hamas military infrastructure were "still limited" and were continuing despite significant challenges.

Defense Minister Gallant argues that the conditions to achieve Israel's war goals, eliminate Hamas' military and leadership capabilities, and return all hostages are "unitation at the national level."


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