Israeli official confirms plans for Palestinian-run ‘humanitarian pockets’ in Gaza

Israel is seeking Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas to manage civilian affairs in areas of the Gaza Strip designed as testing grounds for postwar administration of the enclave, a senior Israeli official says.

The Israeli official says the planned “humanitarian pockets” would be in districts of the Gaza Strip from which Hamas has been expelled, but that their ultimate success would hinge on Israel achieving its goal of destroying the Islamist terror faction across the tiny coastal territory that it has been governing.

“We’re looking for the right people to step up to the plate,” the official tells Reuters on condition of anonymity. “But it is clear that this will take time, as no one will come forward if they think Hamas will put a bullet in their head.”

The plan, the official adds, “may be achieved once Hamas is destroyed and doesn’t pose a threat to Israel or to Gazans.”

The Israeli official also makes clear the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, would also be barred as a partner in the “humanitarian pockets” on account of its failure to condemn the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

“Anyone who took part in, or even failed to condemn, October 7 is ruled out,” the official says.

Still, the official says, Israel would be willing to consider “humanitarian pocket” partners with past links to the PA’s dominant Fatah faction, a more secular rival to Hamas.