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State Department: Gaza 'day‑after' governance and reconstruction to be negotiated after ceasefire; Hamas must not govern
Summary
The State Department said the ceasefire covers phase 1 only; decisions about who governs Gaza, security arrangements and reconstruction will be negotiated in later phases and the U.S. is committed to preventing Hamas from resuming governance.
State Department spokesperson said the current agreement covers “phase 1” only and that the “ultimate resolution of governance, security, reconstruction, all of those will have to be dealt with in the negotiations from phase 1 to phase 2.”
The spokesperson asserted that the United States is committed to ensuring that Hamas does not resume governing Gaza in the future. “The United States is committed to, ensuring that, Hamas never again resumes governing Gaza,” the spokesperson said, adding that such a reemergence would be “an absolute deal breaker for Israel.”
Why it matters: Political control of Gaza is central to any durable settlement. The State Department said regional partners would be asked to contribute security and reconstruction resources only if they see a political path that removes Hamas from governance and ensures a credible alternative for the Palestinian people.
Details and context: The spokesperson referenced prior U.S. statements, including “Tokyo principles” set out by Secretary Blinken, as guidance for the period after the conflict. U.S. officials said the “day‑after” plan is ready to hand to the incoming administration for further action; the administration said it hopes the next U.S. government will “seize on this momentum.”
Officials emphasized that regional countries are unlikely to commit security forces or funding unless there is clarity on governance and the political path for Palestinian aspirations. The State Department said the negotiation from phase 1 to phase 2 is where those governance questions — including whether the Palestinian Authority or another arrangement will govern Gaza — will be resolved.
Ending: The spokesperson said the U.S. will press for arrangements that preclude Hamas governance while regional partners and the incoming administration consider implementation and reconstruction plans.
