Israeli army chief Gaza plans

Tel Aviv (dpa) — Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has warned that the plan to seize Gaza City will lead to an Israeli military administration in the territory, the Israeli news site ynet reported on Monday.

“You are heading to a military government,” Zamir reportedly told a meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet late on Sunday.

“Your plan is leading us there. Understand the implications,” he said, according to ynet.

The chief of the Israeli general staff said Israel’s political leadership was not preparing any alternative for the period after the war.

Israel put the coastal strip under military administration following the 1967 Six Day War. It had previously been administered by Egypt.

In the context of agreements with the Palestinians, Israel returned civil administration to the Palestinian Authority more than 30 years ago, while continuing to control the borders.

Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 led to the end of an Israeli military presence, although Israeli forces continued to control the borders. Hamas took power in the area in 2007.

A return to military administration would represent a step backward and dampen hopes for a two-state solution.

According to the ynet report, Zamir urged a deal with Hamas for the release of more hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out against a vote on the issue, noting that it was not on the meeting’s agenda.

Hamas said in the middle of last month that it had agreed to a new proposal by mediators for a ceasefire. Israel has yet to respond to the initiative.

There are still 48 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, 20 of whom are believed by the Israeli government to be still alive.

Zamir has warned in the past that taking control of Gaza City would endanger their lives.