Israel assessing “governing alternative to Hamas” in Gaza: Defence minister

In a video address on Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel has been “preparing the governing alternative to Hamas” as it isolates areas in its military operation in Gaza.

Furthermore, he suggested an alternative would help in “Returning the hostages.”

Gallant’s comments come after Israel proposed a draft ceasefire plan on Friday, calling for an immediate six-week halt to the ongoing hostilities.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s one sticking point was that no permanent ceasefire will happen as long as Hamas stays in power. This condition was echoed by Gallant, who said Israel “will not accept the rule of Hamas as the authority in Gaza.”