Trump's potential impact on Gaza's future sparks debate among Israelis: 'enabling possibilities previously unattainable'

As Israel prepares for the post-conflict phase of its military operations in Gaza, the international community is closely watching with nearly 1.9 million people displaced within Gaza.

"The new Trump administration's policy will determine the future of Gaza, according to a security official who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital."

"Another security official stated, "We are waiting to see what his temperament will be," referring to Trump. Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said, "You cannot undermine the 'Trump effect,'" implying that Trump will enable things that were not possible before and increase pressure on Hamas."

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has shared his vision for Gaza's future. In a statement that has sparked intense debate, Katz stated, "Once we defeat Hamas's military and political power in Gaza, Israel will maintain full security control, just as in the West Bank. We will not allow any terrorist regroupment or attacks against Israeli citizens from Gaza."

A proposal has been circulating in the media suggesting that Egypt and the Palestinian Authority are discussing the creation of a "technocratic" body to oversee Gaza's infrastructure, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. The body would be composed of 12 to 15 Palestinian figures and would be independent of Hamas's control, potentially signaling a shift in Gaza's power dynamics.

Officials in Jerusalem have emphasized that Israel will maintain control over security in Gaza without resuming former settlements. An Israeli security official stated to Planet Chronicle Digital, "We will enter and conduct military operations whenever we want to combat terrorism." Additionally, there is a desire to engage Arab countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, in Gaza's reconstruction efforts.

Senior IDF officials are cautioning that the success of the military campaign could be jeopardized if a clear post-conflict plan is not established. A senior IDF official stated that without a viable alternative to Hamas, the cycle of violence will persist. "If Israel fails to implement a plan for the future and develops an alternative to Hamas, the terror group will rebuild and maintain its power. This is an endless cycle," he said to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Some Israeli officials believe that the lack of a coherent strategy is due to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy under the upcoming administration. "The day after is still very far off," one official said. "We were dealing with Lebanon until not long ago, we are dealing with Iran and the Houthis, everything that’s happening in Syria . . . rebuilding Gaza wasn’t a top priority. For sure, the war will not end until hostages are released and Hamas is completely dismantled. And we are all waiting to see how the new Trump administration will want to handle the situation."

Numerous proposals have been put forth for Gaza's future, encompassing varying perspectives on Israel's course of action.

Giora Eiland, a retired Major General and former head of Israel's National Security Council, has proposed a more militaristic approach to resolve the conflict in Gaza. His plan involves evacuating the population of northern Gaza and then encircling and sieging the region. By cutting off supplies like water, fuel, and food, Eiland believes Hamas will be forced to surrender, and the hostages can be freed.

Eiland envisions an Israel that maintains military control over parts of Gaza, allowing for international cooperation in rebuilding the region without Israeli citizens or settlements on the ground.

An endless cycle of violence could result if Hamas is not dismantled strategically while also taking into account international law, warns a senior security official to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Eiland claims that his strategy is in line with international law and could lead Hamas to negotiations. He states that he based his plan on a manual published by the American Department of Defense, which outlines American doctrine regarding the implementation of international humanitarian law. According to Eiland, Hamas is solely focused on humiliation and losing land. If we can take away their control over land, they will be under significant pressure.

Major General (res.) Amos Yadlin is not in favor of a diplomatic solution. Instead, he suggests a mechanism where Palestinian technocrats, who have symbolic ties to the Palestinian Authority but not practical ones, would be mentored by Arab groups such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, and Morocco.

Yadlin, CEO of Mind Israel, believes that Arab states can shape Gaza's future by stabilizing it after Israel dismantled Hamas' military infrastructure. According to Yadlin, Hamas can only become a political party if they accept the Quartet conditions from 2017, which include acknowledging Israel and condemning terror.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is not involved in the post-Hamas governance of Gaza, as Israeli officials have made it clear. "No scenario includes the Palestinian Authority," one official stated. "We see its inability in the West Bank and do not want to bring that capability to Gaza."

The exclusion of the PA raises questions about Gaza's future governance and the potential for political stability, as Israel favors a technocratic approach but it is uncertain whether such a model can function without the involvement of the Palestinian Authority.

The UAE has become a crucial player in Gaza's future, with its commitment to humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. This has attracted attention as the region seeks alternatives to Hamas. One Israeli security official stated, "The UAE is the most significant player in Gaza's future. They possess the resources and the willingness to contribute, but our discussions are limited to the civil aspects."

Israel is focused on maintaining security while allowing Arab countries to participate in Gaza's reconstruction. The country is committed to preventing a return to the pre-October 7 situation, where Hamas had control.