JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli forces are battling Hamas again in areas such as northern Gaza, where it had supposedly already cleared the terrorists out months ago.
Now, Hamas appears to be regrouping in the vacuum, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spar over the future governance of Gaza.
As civilians return to the central and northern Gaza Strip, battles in those areas are kicking up again.
In one of those areas, the Jabaliya refugee camp, a friendly-fire tank incident that left five Israeli soldiers dead and seven more wounded underscored the renewed fighting. That is sparking arguments about the day after the conflict.
Gallant is blaming Netanyahu for saying Israeli troops need to return to the once-pacified areas because Netanyahu hasn't helped other Gaza Palestinians take control. Gazans fear that may mean long-term military rule by Israel.
“I call on the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to make a decision and declare that Israel will not rule over civilian affairs in Gaza, there won’t be Israeli military rule in Gaza and an alternative leadership to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be advanced immediately,” Gallant declared at a press conference.
Netanyahu insists no new Palestinian leaders will step up to govern until all the Hamas terrorists who would kill such leaders are themselves wiped out.
“Until it is clear that Hamas does not control Gaza militarily, no party will be willing to take over the civilian management of Gaza for fear of its safety. Therefore, the talk about 'the day after' when Hamas remains intact, will remain just talk – empty of content,” Netanyahu stated.