Israeli Security Minister Yoav Galant said on Sunday that the Israeli security apparatus is working to prepare an authoritarian alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and is preparing to deploy “other forces that will enable the formation of another ruling authority that threatens Hamas,” after isolating areas in the besieged Strip.

This came in statements issued by Galant following a session to assess the security situation in the Southern Command of the Israeli army, in which he stated, “The operation in Rafah is progressing above and below ground, and the forces are fighting with great determination and are destroying the oxygen pipeline linking the Gaza Strip and Egypt.”

He continued, "We are suffocating Hamas and do not allow it to continue to exist. It will not have the ability to overcome (this situation) nor the ability to strengthen its strength and armament." He added, "In parallel with the important military operation, the security apparatus is preparing a ruling alternative to Hamas, by isolating Hamas." Areas from which we will remove Hamas members and introduce other forces, which will enable the formation of an authority that threatens Hamas.”