DAVOS, Switzerland — Speaking next to a photo of a 1-year-old baby still believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said Thursday that “a coalition of nations” made up of forces from both Middle Eastern and Western countries should take charge of the enclave after the conflict against Hamas ends.
Herzog was speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, where he met with several political leaders to discuss the conflict. Accompanying him on his trip were several families of hostages held by Hamas since the group’s surprise assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Asked on a panel by WEF President Borge Brende whether the Palestinian Authority (PA), Fatah and the PLO should take responsibility for Gaza at the end of the war or if Israel Defense Forces would remain there, Herzog said: “We should see a horizon of a coalition of nations who are willing to commit to rebuilding Gaza in a way that will, No. 1, enable safety and well-being for Israel; and No. 2, enable safety and well-being of the Palestinians and bring a different future to Gaza."
“You need strong Western forces; you need strong regional forces. And I'm sure there will also be a dialogue with Palestinians from Gaza and the Palestinian Authority [in the West Bank],” he added.
