The cabinet is in turmoil over the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip, but behind the scenes another tension is currently erupting – the issue of the "day after" in Gaza.
In a letter sent by Bezalel Smotrich to Defense Minister Yoav Galant, the contents of which are published here for the first time, the Finance Minister claims that contrary to what was decided at the political level, the defense establishment is already planning the "day after," and as if that were not enough, those involved in this are factors who, according to him, led the failed conception of the concept.
Last week, Israel Hayom reported that Brig. Gen. (res.) Udi Dekel would serve as an advisor for planning the "day after the war" in the Gaza Strip, and according to Dekel's view, the Palestinian Authority should be "gradually integrated into the Gaza Strip."
"Facts on the ground"
Smotrich writes in the letter that "the information that reaches me indicates that parts of the defense establishment have begun to formulate the perception of the State of Israel for the day after the victory in the war." According to him, "the political echelon has consciously decided not to deal at the moment with the question of 'the day after,'" but "this does not justify the defense minister or the defense establishment to take over the authority to do it themselves, to harness the cart before the horses and to establish facts on the ground in preparations for replacing Hamas with the PA in Gaza."
Udi Dekel. Will serve as a consultant for planning the "day after the war" in the Gaza Strip, photo: Gideon Markowitz
Smotrich refers to a variety of publications, including the fact that the Central Command appointed an officer to discuss strengthening the PA the day after, and that the IDF's Planning Division employs researchers from the Institute for National Security Studies to discuss the matter.
In particular, the minister is angered by the involvement of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), who, he says, was one of the leaders of the concept responsible for "the blindness from which we are all disillusioned," those who "explained to us until a month ago that Hamas is deterred."
Conflict with Biden
In the letter, Smotrich writes that "after we achieve victory, God willing, we will deal with the question of civilian management of the Gaza Strip the day after. Dealing with this at this stage will inevitably lead us into disagreements within ourselves and probably also into conflict with the American administration, which will harm national resilience and the ability to win and achieve the agreed goals of the war. For this reason, I am not now dealing with the question of the day after.
Galant assessing the situation at the Southern Command, photo: Ariel Hermoni - Ministry of Defense
Biden. Smotrich warns, Photo: AP
IDF forces in the Gaza Strip. The Day After, Photo: AFP
"However, I cannot accept a situation in which while we act responsibly and avoid dealing with questions that may cause controversy, there will be those who take advantage of this to advance their agendas, deal with it from their point of view and put the State of Israel in a dangerous corrals that will be difficult to get out of."
Smotrich demands "an immediate order to the IDF and the Ministry of Defense to cease dealing with the issue and disband the teams established for this purpose," and to "immediately separate the roles of researchers at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) from their role in the reserves."
"Israel after October 7 is not the same country. Truths that were our lot in the past are no longer relevant. Entities that were part of and even led the old concepts cannot lead the Bureau's work to formulate solutions."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us