US State Department: “Post-war Gaza, Palestine must be at the center” – So what is the reason?

The U.S. Secretary of State has stated that the “Post-Hamas Concept” should be centered around the Palestinian people. As the Gaza Strip is gradually losing control to Hamas due to the Israel-Hamas war, the post-war governance of the Gaza Strip is becoming a key issue in the international community.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference held after the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Japan on the 8th (local time), “There may be a transition period after the (Israel-Hamas) war, but in the governance of Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian people should be at the center.”

He further emphasized, “The Gaza Strip post-war should not be run by Hamas, but it’s also clear that Israel cannot reoccupy the Gaza Strip.”

Secretary Blinken said, “What I heard from Israeli leaders is that they have no intention of reoccupying or regaining control of the Gaza Strip,” adding that “therefore, the only question is whether a transition is necessary and what mechanism is needed to secure security.”

While opposing an immediate full ceasefire, Secretary Blinken urged to minimize civilian casualties. He said, “We all want to end the war as soon as possible and minimize the suffering of civilians until then.” He added, “The only way to prevent such a crisis from happening again is to create conditions for lasting peace and security, and start diplomatic efforts with this in mind.”

He said, “Even though we are focused on solving urgent challenges, I believe that the time has come to start a conversation about the future.”

Secretary Blinken also presented key principles related to the Post-Hamas Concept. These include not forcibly relocating Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, not using the Gaza Strip as a base for terrorism, not reoccupying the post-war Gaza Strip, not attempting to blockade or besiege the Gaza Strip, not reducing the territory of the Gaza Strip, and preventing terrorist acts from the West Bank.

He said, “The voices and aspirations of the Palestinian people should be included at the center of governance after the Gaza Strip crisis,” adding that “this should include a Palestinian-led government and a unified Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.”

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced today that the Palestinian militant group Hamas is losing control in the Gaza Strip. According to Reuters, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hagari said today, “Hamas has lost control and continues to lose control in the north,” and “It’s a situation where the Hamas leadership can’t reach.”