Israel’s UN envoy: We’re not thinking about who will replace Hamas after the war

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan told CNN last night that Israel is not currently thinking about who will govern Gaza once it achieves its goal of toppling Hamas’s rule.

“There are many, many questions regarding the future, [and] we will have time to discuss them… but for now, the only focus should be how to release the hostages, how to secure our future by obliterating Hamas capabilities,” Erdan told CNN. “It’s a very complicated goal to achieve, so we’re not thinking now what will happen the day after the war. First of all, we need to win this war, and that’s the only thing that we’re focused on.”

Erdan reiterates that Israel has no interest in retaking Gaza, but appears to leave the possibility open for that to take place. “Since we are fighting for our survival and the only way… is to obliterate Hamas, we will have to do whatever is needed to obliterate their capabilities,” he says.

Erdan says he “believes” those Israel is urging to evacuate from northern Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes.

“We are trying to temporarily call for their evacuation because it can be reversed. The loss of human life cannot, and Hamas is now threatening them because they always use them as human shields in order to try and recruit the international community to put pressure on Israel and tie our hands,” the Israeli envoy says.

“We even have recordings of Gaza residents who are speaking on the phone and telling other people that Hamas [won’t] allow them to leave their homes and that they’re threatening them to stay there,” he adds.