Israel Unveils Gaza's "Day After" Plan Amidst Military Operation Against Hamas

In a significant announcement that outlines the envisioned administration of the Gaza Strip after ongoing military operations, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has presented a blueprint which details the transfer of control to a Palestinian entity once the current hostilities with Hamas come to an end. This "day after plan" sets forth a series of strategic steps to be undertaken by Israel and the envisaged Palestinian administrators, potentially reshaping the future of the Gaza Strip.

Yoav Gallant's blueprint, submitted to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet on Monday, suggests that civil administration of Gaza will no longer be under the purview of either Hamas — which seized control of the territory in 2007 — or Israel. Instead, unnamed Palestinian actors would be given the reins, albeit with Israel maintaining a considerable degree of military freedom to operate within the enclave post-war.

According to the plan, Israel's primary objectives include the return of hostages taken by Hamas, the dismantlement of its military and governance infrastructures, and the neutralization of remaining security threats. The envisioned shift in governance would be premised on these goals being fulfilled and would aim to ensure that Hamas no longer controls Gaza nor presents a security risk to Israel.

Gallant has explicitly stated that while Israel will reserve the right for its forces to operate within Gaza, it will not establish a constant civilian presence or settlements within the enclave. An intense supervision of Gaza’s borders will be maintained, including a continuation of the blockade through land, air, and sea channels, and inspections of all inbound and outbound goods from Gaza after the conflict.

However, Gallant stopped short of identifying the Palestinian officials or bodies that would assume governance of the strip. Instead, he presented a conditional expectation that Palestinian entities will operate without hostility towards Israel. The prospect of a civilian administration, possibly built upon existing civil committees in Gaza, appears to be central to the plan.

The reconstruction and redevelopment of Gaza following the cessation of hostilities involves an international coalition. Countries across the Arab world, along with European states and Western allies, will be called upon to facilitate the rebuilding effort.

The proposal intersects with statements from other Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, who advocates for a "civilian government" to rule Gaza but has previously expressed reservations about the Palestinian Authority taking charge. Netanyahu and other right-wing political figures have also floated varying ideas, such as advocating for the return of Israeli settlers and controversially proposing the emigration of a large portion of the Palestinian population from Gaza.

In contrast, the Palestinian Authority's Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh criticized the absence of a broader political solution encompassing all of Palestine, suggesting that any "day after" scenario remains unclear. He argued that Israel might create its civil administration to function under military oversight, thus furthering political separation between Gaza and the West Bank.

The United States continues to promote a two-state solution and has hinted at a governance overhaul in Gaza, initiated by a "revitalized" Palestinian Authority. Yet, Gallant’s blueprint diverges markedly from the American perspective.

The international community's response, key outcomes from ongoing discussions such as those broached during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel, and the feasibility of the plan in its entirety will be crucial factors in determining the ultimate configuration of Gaza's governance and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.