The Israeli military plans to maintain a long-term presence in Gaza, with forces confronting new Hamas recruits and potentially overseeing humanitarian aid delivery, a senior Israeli minister has revealed.
Avi Dichter, Israel’s minister for food security and security cabinet member, outlined a vision suggesting Israeli troops will remain in Gaza with no immediate plans for alternative governance of the territory’s 2.3 million residents.
“I think that we are going to stay in Gaza for a long time. I think most people understand that [Israel] will be years in some kind of West Bank situation where you go in and out and maybe you remain along Netzarim [corridor]”, Dichter said.
Recently demobilised reservists have detailed to the Guardian the extensive military infrastructure Israel has constructed in Gaza, including new camps and roads across northern and central areas.
One former officer described spending 70 days demolishing houses to clear space for military bases in the Netzarim corridor, a military zone established between the Mediterranean coast and Gaza’s eastern perimeter fence.
Israeli media reports have corroborated the construction of military facilities in the Netzarim corridor and other areas.
Reservists report that demolition operations have been so extensive that some units have exhausted their explosive supplies.
The developments come as Israeli forces continue their offensive, with medics reporting at least 21 Palestinians killed in strikes across Gaza on Thursday.
The escalation followed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that Hamas must be eliminated and Israel must retain control over parts of Gaza.
Ceasefire negotiations have stalled, including talks for the release of approximately 100 hostages held by Hamas.
According to Gaza officials, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in nearly 44,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and displaced almost the entire population. The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel 13 months ago killed about 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage.
Experts, governments, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organisations have accused Israel of carrying out genocide against the Palestinian people.
Dichter, formerly chief of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, acknowledged Hamas’s continued recruitment despite reduced capabilities.
The minister also revealed that Israel is considering private contractors to secure aid convoys, with the IDF potentially assuming this role.
Regarding Gaza’s future administration, Dichter remained uncertain: “Till now we haven’t found the answers but I believe that we should find a way … to make sure that enough food that is getting to every citizen in Gaza … and not allowing Hamas to be the unofficial governor”.
(with information from The Guardian/image source: EPA/HAITHAM IMAD)
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