From: The Times of Israel February 3, 2025
Gaza must be demilitarised before it is rebuilt, says Former IDF chief

The Gaza Strip must be demilitarised before it is rebuilt, says former deputy prime minister and IDF chief Benny Gantz.

the former war cabinet minister tells reporters ahead of his party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset:
1. The transition to phase two of the hostage deal must include the replacement of the Hamas regime and the demilitarization of Gaza,
2. The reconstruction efforts in Gaza must be conditioned on the replacement of the Hamas regime.
3. Either Gaza will be demilitarized – or it will remain demolished.
4. That must be the condition for reconstruction, in coordination with the United States and the world.

Gantz insists that Israel must ensure that Hamas is not able to access humanitarian aid meant for Gazan civilians and argues that
“even after the Hamas regime is replaced, it will remain the strongest military force in Gaza – we must not allow for that to happen.”

He argues:
“Once it is replaced and is cut off from its financial sources, we must hunt every Hamas terrorist in every last tunnel and hideout,”

He adds: that it is now also time “to dismantle the Iranian nuclear project.”

We must not miss the opportunity: "That is what real victory means.” and all of this can happen in the next few months:
1. Coordination with the Americans is crucial…
2. We must continue bringing our hostages home,
3. dismantle Hamas,
4. weaken Iran
5. and advance normalization with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries –

Why didn't he?
He had 7 months, until June 2024 when he exited the Israeli War Cabinet, to achieve: "That is what real victory means.”

Netanyahu took to X in the wake of Gantz’s announcement, saying that this is the time to “join forces” rather than quit.