From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 3, 2025
Gantz: Hamas must be replaced, Gaza Strip must be demilitarized before it is rebuilt
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
The Gaza Strip must not be rebuilt before it is demilitarized, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz declares.
“The transition to phase two of the hostage deal must include the replacement of the Hamas regime and the demilitarization of Gaza,” the former war cabinet minister tells reporters ahead of his party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset.
“The reconstruction efforts in Gaza must be conditioned on the replacement of the Hamas regime. Either Gaza will be demilitarized – or it will remain demolished. That must be the condition for reconstruction, in coordination with the United States and the world.”
Gantz insists that Israel must ensure that Hamas is not able to access humanitarian aid meant for Gazan civilians and argues that “even after the Hamas regime is replaced, it will remain the strongest military force in Gaza – we must not allow for that to happen.”
“Once it is replaced and is cut off from its financial sources, we must hunt every Hamas terrorist in every last tunnel and hideout,” he argues.
He adds that it is now also time “to dismantle the Iranian nuclear project.”
“We must not miss the opportunity. Coordination with the Americans is crucial… We must continue bringing our hostages home, dismantle Hamas, weaken Iran and advance normalization with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries – and all of this can happen in the next few months. That is what real victory means.”
The Times of Israel Community.