Behind-the-scenes efforts concerning the “day after” in the Gaza Strip appear to be entering a phase of concrete decisions and timelines. According to sources who participated in meetings held in Cyprus this week, plans to establish humanitarian zones are moving forward even if Hamas is not immediately disarmed.
According to an exclusive report by i24NEWS diplomatic correspondent Guy Azriel, the meetings were attended by members of the Palestinian Technocratic Committee (NCAG), advisers to the Board of Peace, the High Representative for Gaza, Nikolay Mladenov, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who also serves on the organisation’s Executive Board.
The same sources said discussions moved beyond general principles and, for the first time, focused on practical matters such as timelines, security arrangements, the number of residents to be relocated and the governance model for the Gaza Strip. The information, however, has not been officially confirmed by the parties involved.
Plan moves ahead without waiting for Hamas disarmament
According to the Israeli journalist’s sources, the key decision taken was that implementation of the plan would not depend on the complete disarmament of Hamas.
Preparations for the necessary infrastructure are expected to be completed within three to six months, allowing the first residents to be transferred to areas of the so-called “yellow zone”.
The first location is expected to be the Tel al-Sultan area, where tens of thousands of civilians would initially be settled. Temporary communities are then expected to expand gradually to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people.
Temporary structures instead of permanent reconstruction
The sources said that as long as Hamas retains its weapons, no permanent reconstruction using heavy building materials is envisaged.
Instead, the plan calls for the creation of high-quality temporary housing, schools, medical facilities and employment opportunities for residents.
Security arrangements
According to the report, internal security within the new zones will be entrusted to a new Palestinian police force that will be trained in Egypt.
At the same time, an international stabilisation force is expected to be deployed in the coming months, while the Israeli military will continue to control the external security perimeter, withdrawing only from areas where a permanent civilian population has been established.
Outstanding issues
Despite progress in planning, several major issues remain unresolved, including:
- How residents selected for relocation will be chosen;
- The demographic composition of the new humanitarian zones;
- Mechanisms to prevent Hamas from influencing the selection process.
The aim of the initiative
Sources involved in the planning insist that the initiative does not represent a concession to Hamas.
Instead, they say its objective is to gradually weaken the organisation’s control over territory, the population, humanitarian aid, financial resources and essential services.
According to those involved, the philosophy of the plan is to create areas operating outside Hamas’ control, rather than rebuilding locations where the organisation would continue to exercise influence.
One participant in the meetings was quoted as saying:
“Hamas will try to sabotage every stage of the plan. That is why every detail is being examined several steps ahead. Adjustments will be needed, but the sense is that the process has already begun and no one wants to stop it.”
According to the same sources, the plans are being driven both by growing international pressure to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza and by the desire of the United States to create new momentum on the ground and shape a political alternative for the day after.
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