JERUSALEM

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Tuesday proposed that the Palestinian Authority take control of the Gaza Strip following the end of the war against Hamas.

Talking to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Lapid claimed that the Palestinian Authority is the only body capable of taking control of the Gaza Strip and that it will do so after "defeating the Hamas group," which has ruled it since 2007.

He did, however, suggest that the Israeli army should have control over security in Gaza, even if only for a short time, in order to ensure the safety of Israelis in the settlements surrounding the Palestinian enclave.

Lapid also expressed his opposition to any idea of a "future occupation of Gaza," saying if Israel occupies Gaza, it will be required by Israeli law to fund education and hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

He also said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unable to implement such a proposal because he is constrained by "his extremists," referring to his ruling Likud party coalition with hardliner parties.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas a month ago.

At least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since then. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar