Israel Expresses No Intention to Assume Long-Term Control Over Gaza Strip After Conflict with Hamas

Israel affirmed on Friday that it does not have intentions of exerting prolonged control over the Gaza Strip after an anticipated ground operation aimed at eliminating Hamas militants governing the region. The Israeli military conducted airstrikes in Gaza, and efforts were made to provide assistance to families and hospitals grappling with dire circumstances. 

Meanwhile, demonstrations in support of Palestinians took place across various Muslim countries.

Israel targeted southern Gaza, advising residents to seek shelter, in its mission to dismantle Hamas, responding to their recent acts of aggression in Israel. Simultaneously, clashes between Israel and militants in neighboring Lebanon escalated, leading to evacuations of Israeli border towns amid mounting concerns of a broader conflict.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant outlined a three-phase plan to lawmakers regarding Israel's approach to Gaza, indicating a lack of intention to reestablish control over the territory vacated in 2005. The plan involves initial airstrikes and presumed ground operations to uproot Hamas, followed by a subsequent effort to eliminate remaining pockets of resistance, and ultimately, the cessation of Israel's administrative responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip.

Gallant did not specify the entity Israel envisions overseeing Gaza should Hamas be removed from power.

Israel held control over Gaza from 1967 until 2005 when it dismantled settlements and withdrew its troops. Two years later, Hamas assumed control. Some within Israel attribute the sporadic violence in the region to the withdrawal from Gaza.

Facing a deteriorating humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants, work began along the border with Egypt to restore the border crossing, marking the initial step towards delivering aid to the besieged Palestinian population grappling with shortages of fuel, food, water, and medicine.

Over a million individuals have been displaced in Gaza. While many heeded Israel's directives to evacuate the northern part of the sealed-off enclave along the Mediterranean coast, Israeli military spokesperson Nir Dinar clarified on Friday that there are no designated "safe zones," refuting previous statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.N. officials reported that due to widespread bombings across Gaza, some Palestinians who initially fled the north were now returning.