Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that his country has no intention of staying permanently in the Gaza Strip, and that he is open to discussing alternatives regarding who would control the territory, as long as it is not a hostile group. to Israel.
The minister also said that Israel is open to the possibility of a deal with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, with the condition that any agreement includes a safe zone along the border and adequate guarantees.
“Israel will take any measures to destroy Hamas, but we have no intention of staying permanently in the Gaza Strip,” the minister told reporters.
More than two months since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 that triggered the war, and more than a month since Israel launched its ground offensive, Gallant said serious progress has been made, especially in northern Gaza, where things are approaching a “breaking point”.
He said Israel is open to discussing alternatives about who could control Gaza after the war.
“The fundamental condition is that this body does not act with hostility towards the State of Israel. Everything else, in my opinion, can be discussed. It certainly won’t be Hamas, and it won’t be Israel either. We will maintain our freedom to act, to operate militarily against any threat.”
In an apparent change of strategy, at least publicly, Gallant called on Hamas fighters and commanders to surrender rather than be killed.
“If you surrender, you can save your lives. Otherwise, your fate will be sealed.”
Por Ari Rabinovitch