Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set up a secret political and security team to discuss different aspects of the day after the Gaza war, including who will control the enclave, its rehabilitation, and issues related to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and the threat of Hezbollah, Israeli Channel 13 reported on Sunday.
Control over the Gaza Strip once the war with Hamas is over was also discussed Monday in the Knesset’s Foreign and Security Affairs Committee. Netanyahu reiterated to the committee his objection to the Palestinian Authority regaining control over the enclave, stating that "the Palestinian Authority will not be able to control Gaza under any circumstances. The security responsibility will remain under the state of Israel. The difference between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is only that Hamas wants to destroy us (Israel) here and now and the PA wants to do it in stages."
According to the report, the team working on "the day after" is composed of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer (considered Netanyahu’s closest associate), national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, and representatives from the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad and the Shin Bet. Israeli Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog is also part of the team. The group has already convened four times and is expected to convene again this week. The report added that the Biden administration has been updated on the establishment of the team.
Dermer was quoted in the report as saying in one of the team meetings that "there needs to be a radical change in the Palestinian Authority and its education system. Without these cultural changes, Israel will find itself facing a hostile population."
