Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned on Friday against any Israeli military rule in the Gaza Strip.

Galant confirmed during an Israeli cabinet meeting that the war launched by Israel on Gaza will be followed by “Israeli military rule that will cost us the lives of soldiers and seize military resources in the face of preparedness for the north and Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). After that, chaos, which will lead to the investment of significant resources in confronting The international community and its unnecessary preoccupation with Gaza.”

According to Gallant, the option “less bad than Hamas rule” is “rule by another local body.” In this context, the Israeli Defense Minister said: “This means that it will look from time to time at what it says in Ramallah,” referring to the Palestinian Authority.

Gallant continued: “If we do not create an alternative to the government, we will not succeed in overthrowing Hamas,” adding: “The priorities are clear. We are talking about bad alternatives here... Hamas is the worst alternative, and the local elements are the least bad alternative. In the end, the person will look to Ramallah.” "From time to time, but there will be a local element (to governance in Gaza). The main thing is that we do not see Hamas."

Israeli Channel 13 reported that a number of ministers responded angrily to Gallant's speech and said: "He is promoting the Palestinian Authority."

Gallant responded to the ministers' criticism, saying, "Those who are paying the price today for not taking a decision are Israel's soldiers."

He continued, "Senior officers say in discussions with the political level that the forces (the Israeli army) raid a specific neighborhood (in the Gaza Strip) and leave. At this time, instead of bringing in a local element (to rule in Gaza), Hamas is asserting itself again." A sign of the return of Hamas control over some areas in the northern Gaza Strip.

Gallant stressed: “This way we will not eliminate Hamas.”

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a military plan to invade Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

It is noteworthy that the Israeli army has lost 591 of its soldiers since October 7, 2023.