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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/12/19/israel-war-hamas-gaza-new-phase-cease-fire/
The Gaza War Inches toward the Day before "the Day After"
(Washington Post) David Ignatius - Top Israeli officials have insisted that the war will last "months" longer, but that's partly to keep Hamas off guard. Israel's leaders know they need to transition to a new stage in the conflict, not least to allow reservists to leave the front lines and return to their jobs. Israeli officials appear to agree with the Biden administration on the basics: A postwar Gaza where Hamas cannot impose its political will, while other Palestinians take responsibility for governance. The State Department has prepared a 20-page document outlining basic steps and options for the post-conflict phase. Fighting will continue, especially in southern Gaza. But as Hamas' power is broken, U.S. and Israeli officials expect that Palestinians will step into new governance and security roles - with support from moderate Arab governments that hate Hamas almost as much as Israel does, even though they don't say so out loud.