Israeli security document reveals the cost of 'military rule' of Gaza "Mission Impossible"
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed a security document about the costs of establishing military rule in Gaza, as part of the "Day After" plans after the war, which War Minister Yoav Galant strongly opposes.
Gallant described the military rule of Gaza as costly economically, militarily and in terms of lives.
Yoav Galant called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to openly declare that the occupation state will not rule the Gaza Strip, noting that this option is economically and militarily costly.
Galant's remarks came after Netanyahu spoke about the military operation in Rafah, which he said would last for weeks.
Galant continued: "I will oppose military rule in Gaza because it will be bloody, expensive and last for years."
According to the document, military rule means, among other things, shifting soldiers from the Northern and Central Command to Gaza and significantly increasing the size of the reserves.
Recently, the Israeli security establishment was asked to examine various alternatives to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip, and in the document revealed, the financial consequences of forming a military government in the Gaza Strip were analyzed.
According to the document, the cost of operation is estimated at 20 billion shekels per year ($5.4 billion). In addition, there will be an additional cost for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip (infrastructure, hospitals, schools, roads, military government infrastructure, and other matters).
In terms of military strength, four offensive military divisions and one defensive division stationed in the Strip would be needed.
Transferring manpower to the sector will require a reduction in the number of battalions in Northern Command and Central Command, as well as a significant increase in the scope of reserves for operational staffing, the document continued.
The document concluded that military rule in Gaza would mean weakening the capacity of the occupation army in the north, the West Bank and the rest of the occupied territories, a budget crisis, and damage to services provided to settlers.
The newspaper said that Netanyahu does not rule out the formation of a military government in Gaza. On the contrary, he believes that the army is responsible for security there, which means that at some point the army will be responsible for managing civilian life in the Gaza Strip in the absence of an alternative.
In an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu said: "After the bulk of the war is over, we need reconstruction, and I would like to see a civilian government in Gaza, with Israeli military responsibility."
