JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli forces are battling Hamas again in areas such as northern Gaza, where it had supposedly already cleared the terrorists out months ago.
Now, Hamas appears to be regrouping in the vacuum, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spar over the future governance of Gaza.
As “civilians” return to the central and northern Gaza Strip, battles in those areas are kicking up again.
In one of those areas, the Jabaliya refugee camp, a friendly-fire tank incident that left five Israeli soldiers dead and seven more wounded underscored the renewed fighting. That is sparking arguments about the day after the conflict.
Gallant is blaming Netanyahu for saying Israeli troops need to return to the once-pacified areas because Netanyahu hasn’t helped other Gaza Palestinians take control. Gazans fear that may mean long-term military rule by Israel.
“I call on the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to make a decision and declare that Israel will not rule over civilian affairs in Gaza, there won’t be Israeli military rule in Gaza and an alternative leadership to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be advanced immediately,” Gallant declared at a press conference.
Netanyahu insists no new Palestinian leaders will step up
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