Israel likely to govern Gaza ‘by default’ post-Hamas, says retired US general David Petraeus

SINGAPORE: Israel would most likely have to take up the responsibility of governing Gaza – at least in the short term – should Hamas be wiped out, according to a retired US general.

Whoever administers the war-torn city will have a two-fold task, stressed Mr David Petraeus – winning the hearts and minds of residents through concrete measures, while ensuring Hamas cannot rebuild.

He was speaking at the S R Nathan Distinguished Lecture 2023 on Wednesday (Dec 13). The forum was moderated by Mr Bilahari Kausikan, chairman of the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.

Mr Petraeus, who spent much of his military career in the Middle East through roles like the commander of US Central Command, observed that no Arab nation nor international organisation has indicated a willingness to administer Gaza.

“I don’t see any willingness on the part of the US (to govern Gaza) either. So one big idea of who is going to administer Gaza, at least on a transitional basis, (is) starting to look increasingly to me like it will have to be Israel as a default mode,” he said.

“The ideal … and the goal eventually is to have a competent, capable and trustworthy Palestinian entity that can oversee the Palestinians in Gaza, but we don’t see one of them, even in the West Bank.”

The Palestinian Authority has overseen parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank since the mid 1990s.

US President Joe Biden said last month that a “revitalised” Palestinian Authority should ultimately govern the Gaza Strip and the West Bank following the Israel-Hamas war.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Palestinian Authority in its current form is not capable of accepting the responsibility for Gaza”. Mr Netanyahu has previously said Israel must maintain “overall military responsibility” in Gaza “for the foreseeable future”.

Mr Petraeus, who is also a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, noted on Wednesday that the future administrator of Gaza would have to ensure Hamas is not able to rebuild.

“(The) reconstitution of Hamas may turn out to be the biggest of the challenges that Israel has after destroying Hamas, which I do believe can be done, albeit very, very challenging,” said Mr Petraeus, asserting that Iran will attempt to aid Hamas in any way it can.

Moving forward, Mr Petraeus said that Palestinians in Gaza must be assured that their situation will improve with Hamas gone.

“Lay out for the people in advance that life is going to be better because we’re going to get these extremists, these terrorists out of your community. And we will not just destroy them, we’re going to clear it and hold it, and then rebuild it. In other words, we’re very concerned about you,” he explained.