Israeli Prime Minister Announces Plan Called 'Post-Hamas Day'

The one-page document, titled 'Post-Hamas Day,' was presented to the Israeli government for discussion on February 22, outlining proposed actions in the short, medium, and long term. The document reiterates Prime Minister Netanyahu's position that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will "continue the fight until the complete destruction of Hamas' military capabilities and governmental infrastructure," and until Israeli hostages are returned and a solid security structure is established. In the medium term, the Prime Minister wants Israel to "maintain its freedom of operation" in the area for security purposes without any time limit. "There will be a complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip of any military capabilities beyond what is necessary to maintain public order."

Netanyahu also proposed keeping the southern Gaza-Egypt border “closed” to prevent any smuggling into the area, noting that the enclave would need to be protected in cooperation with Cairo and with U.S. support. The plan proposes that civil administration be entrusted to “local officials” with management experience who are not tied to any entity that supports terrorism.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official told the Times of Israel that the Jewish state opposes the involvement of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) in the governance of Gaza. He said that despite the PA’s conflict with Hamas since it was ousted from Gaza in 2007, the PA had not condemned the October 7 raid by the Islamist movement.
Mr Netanyahu's plan also stressed that Israel “will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state”.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan, saying it essentially means “reoccupying” Gaza and hindering efforts to establish a Palestinian state. “Netanyahu’s plan serves his interests in prolonging the war to maintain his power,” the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.