Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, reiterated that Israel will not assume civilian control over Gaza post-war.
Emphasizing the pre-war objectives, Gallant expressed the commitment to dismantling Hamas entirely and rescuing the 129 hostages still held in Gaza. Responding to questions about ongoing operations, he stated that Israeli forces will maintain varying levels of intensity, possibly escalating sooner in the north.
Gallant highlighted adherence to international law, defending values, and minimizing harm to civilians.
While allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, he identified the critical issue as the presence of hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.