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Sunday, March 23, 2025
Dermer to discuss Israeli military control of Gaza with senior US officials, Israeli official tells ToI
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
During his visit to Washington, DC, this week, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will discuss a plan for Israeli military control over the Gaza Strip with senior US officials, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel. The plan will include the IDF distributing aid.
The Prime Minister’s Office declines to comment on the content of Dermer’s meetings with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and other senior intelligence, defense, and diplomatic officials.
As of last week, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi was slated to fly as well, but he will not be making the trip, says the PMO without offering a reason for the change.
Dermer will take off for Washington today.
According to Walla, Dermer will lead a delegation from the National Security Council, the IDF, the Mossad, the Foreign Ministry, and the Atomic Energy Agency.
Israel has until now avoided pushing for military rule of the Gaza Strip, but with a new IDF chief of staff and defense minister — not to mention a new president in the White House — Israel’s thinking appears to have changed.
Israeli officials tell The Washington Post that an invasion and occupation of Gaza would demand up to five IDF divisions.
The Times of Israel Community.