TEL AVIV, January 15. /TASS/. After the threat to Israel from radicals is eliminated, the Gaza Strip will be ruled by Palestinians, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a televised speech.

"Palestinians live in Gaza and therefore Palestinians will govern Gaza in the future. The future governing authority in Gaza must arise from within the Gaza Strip and be based on actors that are non-hostile to the State of Israel," he said. "The end of the military campaign must be anchored in policy."

Galant called on the Israeli government on January 14 to take action to strengthen the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank to counter Hamas, the group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas has cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. Israel also strikes parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for bombardments originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.