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As Israel nears the end of its military operations in Gaza, the question of what will happen after the war is becoming more urgent. With nearly 1.9 million people displaced within Gaza, the international community is watching closely as Israel prepares for the post-conflict phase. 

"There is no magical solution," a security official told Fox News Digital, "But one thing everyone agrees on: the future of Gaza will depend on the policy of the new Trump administration." 

"We are waiting to see what his temperament will be," said another security official, referring to Trump. "You cannot undermine the 'Trump effect,'" said former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin, "He is going to enable things that were not possible before, to increase pressure on Hamas."

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Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, recently outlined his vision for Gaza’s future. In a statement that has sparked intense debate, Katz said. "After we defeat Hamas’s military and political power in Gaza, Israel will maintain full security control, just as in the West Bank. We will not allow any terrorist regroupment or attacks against Israeli citizens from Gaza."

Katz’s comments indicate a future where Israel retains security control but with new governance structures in Gaza. A proposal circulating in the media suggested that Egypt and the Palestinian Authority are discussing the creation of a "technocratic" body to oversee Gaza’s infrastructure, humanitarian aid and reconstruction. The body would be composed of 12 to 15 Palestinian figures and would be independent of Hamas’s control, potentially signaling a shift in Gaza’s power dynamics.

Officials in Jerusalem have stressed that Israel will maintain security control without re-establishing former settlements in Gaza. "We will enter whenever we want and conduct military operations to combat terrorism," an Israeli security official told Fox News Digital. There is also a desire to involve Arab countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in Gaza's reconstruction.

However, senior IDF officials are warning that without a clear strategic plan for the post-conflict period, the achievements of the military campaign could be undone. A senior IDF official explained that without alternatives to Hamas, the cycle of conflict will continue. "Unless Israel puts in place a plan for the day after, and grows an alternative to Hamas, the terror group will rebuild itself and remain in power. It’s an endless cycle," he told Fox News Digital.

Some Israeli officials believe that the lack of a coherent strategy is tied to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy under the upcoming administration. "The day after is still very far off," one official said. "We were dealing with Lebanon until not long ago, we are dealing with Iran and the Houthis, everything that’s happening in Syria . . . rebuilding Gaza wasn’t a top priority. For sure, the war will not end until hostages are released and Hamas is completely dismantled. And we are all waiting to see how the new Trump administration will want to handle the situation."

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Several plans for Gaza’s future have been proposed, with differing visions for how Israel should proceed.

Retired Major General Giora Eiland, former head of Israel's National Security Council, has advocated for a more militaristic approach. His "general plan" calls for the evacuation of northern Gaza’s population, followed by the encirclement and siege of Gaza’s northern region. By cutting off supplies like water, fuel and food, Eiland believes Hamas will be forced to submit, and the hostages could be freed.

In the long term, Eiland envisions an Israel that controls parts of Gaza but only militarily- with no Israeli citizens entering and no settlements on the ground. Eiland told Fox News Digital, "If we have control over the northern part of Gaza and Hamas is no longer in power, then we can start the process of rebuilding Gaza with international cooperation."

While the approach could weaken Hamas, critics warn it might exacerbate Gaza’s dire humanitarian crisis. One senior security official told Fox News Digital, "If we carry on like this, we risk an endless cycle of violence. It’s crucial to have a strategic endgame that involves dismantling Hamas but also considering international law."

Eiland argues that his strategy aligns with international law and could force Hamas into negotiations. "When I prepared this plan, I read the manual that is published by the American Department of Defense. Twelve hundred pages of explanation of what American doctrine is in regard to the implementation of international humanitarian law. And according to this manual, all that I propose so far is written explicitly in this manual," Eiland added, "Hamas cares only about two things: humiliation and losing land. If we can make them lose control over land, they will be under real pressure."

In contrast, Major General (res.) Amos Yadlin is supportive of a diplomatic solution. "We proposed a mechanism of Palestinian technocrats who have ties to the Palestinian Authority symbolically, but not practically. These technocrats would be mentored by Arab groups such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan and Morocco."

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Yadlin, who is the CEO of the Israeli think tank Mind Israel, envisions Gaza’s future being shaped by Arab states. He said they have the necessary influence to stabilize Gaza, after Israel dismantled Hamas military infrastructure. "No one will rebuild Gaza while Hamas remains in control," Yadlin told Fox News Digital. "Hamas can be a political party, based on acceptance of the Quartet conditions from 2017: acknowledging Israel and condemning terror," he said. 

One issue that Yadlin is more pragmatic about, and which is a red line for the current Israeli government, is the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza. Israeli officials have made it clear that the PA will not be involved in the post-Hamas governance of Gaza. "No scenario includes the Palestinian Authority," one official said. "We see its inability in the West Bank and do not want to bring that capability to Gaza."

This exclusion of the PA raises questions about Gaza’s future governance and the potential for political stability. While Israel favors a technocratic approach, it remains uncertain whether such a model can function without the involvement of the Palestinian Authority.

While the debate over the PA continues, the UAE has emerged as a key player in Gaza’s future, a role that is acceptable to all sides. The UAE’s willingness to engage in humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts has drawn attention, particularly as the region looks for alternatives to Hamas. "The UAE is the most relevant player in Gaza’s future," one Israeli security official said. "They have the resources and the desire to contribute, but we are only talking about the civil aspects."

While Israel welcomes the involvement of Arab countries in Gaza’s reconstruction, security remains a primary concern. Israel is determined to prevent a return to the pre-October 7 status quo, ensuring that Hamas does not regain control.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly expected to resign from his position as early as Monday, according to Canadian media.

The news was first reported by the Globe and Mail on Sunday night, citing three sources. The outlet said that it is unclear when exactly the Liberal Party leader will step down, but a resignation is expected to come before a national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

The news comes as Trudeau's popularity continues to dwindle in Canada, which has a national election planned for Oct. 20 of this year. The country continues to suffer from a housing crisis, a declining per-capita GDP and high inflation, among other issues.

According to Canadian pollster Angus Reid, Trudeau has a disapproval rate of around 68% as of Dec. 24, with a meager 28% of Canadians supporting him.

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The potential resignation would also come after Trudeau, who became prime minister in 2015, braved a difficult few months in politics. In September, he faced a no confidence vote in parliament that later failed, despite efforts from the Conservative Party to remove him from office.

On Dec. 16, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that she was stepping down from Trudeau's cabinet, dealing a significant blow to the prime minister. In her resignation letter, she claimed that the only "honest and viable path" was to leave the Cabinet.

"For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada," Freeland, who was previously seen as a Trudeau loyalist, wrote.

"Our country is facing a grave challenge," the letter added. "That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war."

Later in December, one of Trudeau's key allies, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, said that he planned to present a formal motion of no-confidence on Jan. 27.

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"No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government's time is up. We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons," Singh said.

Trudeau's personal choices have also invited backlash from his opponents. At the end of November, Trudeau faced international criticism after he was seen dancing at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto while a destructive riot took place in his home city of Montreal.

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

"Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances," the Canadian politician wrote. "This is the Canada built by the Liberal government."

"Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved," Stewart added. Trudeau later denounced the lawlessness, calling the riot "appalling."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Trudeau's office for comment.

Fox News' Chris Massaro, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on Sunday announced that he would meet with far-right politician Herbert Kickl as speculation grows that he will ask the Freedom Party leader to form a government.

Van der Bellen made the announcement after meeting with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and others at his presidential palace. Nehammer has announced his intention to resign after coalition talks between his conservative Austrian People's Party and the center-left Social Democrats collapsed over the budget.

Nehammer has ruled out working with Kickl, but others within his party are less adamant. Earlier Sunday, the People's Party nominated its general secretary, Christian Stocker, as interim leader, but the president said Nehammer would remain chancellor for now.

Van der Bellen said that he had spent several hours talking to key officials, after which he got the impression that "the voices within the People's Party who exclude working with the Freedom Party under its leader Herbert Kickl have become quieter."

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The president said that this development has "potentially opened a new path," which has prompted him to invite Kickl for a meeting on Monday morning.

Kickl's Freedom Party topped the polls in the autumn's national election with 29.2% of the vote, but Van der Bellen tasked Nehammer with putting together a new government because no other party was willing to work with Kickl.

That decision drew heavy criticism from the Freedom Party and its supporters, with Kickl saying in October that it was "not right and not logical" that he did not get a mandate to form a government.

"We are not responsible for the wasted time, the chaotic situation and the enormous breach of trust that has emerged," Kickl said Sunday afternoon on social media. "On the contrary: It is clear that the Freedom Party has been and continues to be the only stable factor in Austrian politics."

Stocker addressed reporters on Sunday afternoon and confirmed that he had been appointed "unanimously" by his party to serve as interim leader. "I am very honored and happy," he said.

He also welcomed the decision by the president to meet with Kickl and said that he now expects that the leader of the party that emerged as the clear winner from the last election would be tasked with forming a government.

"If we are invited to negotiations to form a government, we will accept this invitation," Stocker added.

In the past, Stocker has criticized Kickl, calling him a "security risk" for the country.

In its election program titled "Fortress Austria," the Freedom Party calls for "remigration of uninvited foreigners," for achieving a more "homogeneous" nation by tightly controlling borders and suspending the right to asylum via an emergency law.

The Freedom Party also calls for an end to sanctions against Russia, is highly critical of Western military aid to Ukraine and wants to bow out of the European Sky Shield Initiative, a missile defense project launched by Germany. The Freedom Party has also signed a friendship agreement in 2016 with Putin’s United Russia Party that it now claims has expired.

Kickl has criticized "elites" in Brussels and called for some powers to be brought back from the European Union to Austria.

Austria was thrown into political turmoil on Friday after the liberal party Neos pulled out of coalition talks with the the People's Party and the Social Democrats. On Saturday the two remaining parties, who have only a one-seat majority in Parliament, made another attempt to form a government — but that also ended in failure after a few hours, with negotiators saying they were unable to agree on how to repair the budget deficit.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has denied reports that Hamas has forwarded a list of hostages to be released in a potential cease-fire agreement Sunday.

Reuters reported earlier Sunday that Hamas had approved a list of 34 hostages it may be willing to release in exchange for a cease-fire agreement. Hamas officials said the deal was contingent on Israel reaching an agreement to withdraw from Gaza and enact a permanent cease-fire.

"Contrary to what was claimed, Hamas has not forwarded a list of names of hostages until this moment," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

The statement comes days after Netanyahu was released from hospital on Thursday after his prostate surgery.

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His office said Netanyahu, 75, was in good condition and fully conscious after the conclusion of his prostate surgery.

The Israeli leader has undergone several health procedures over the past two years. In March, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery under full anesthesia, and Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin temporarily assumed his role during the process.

Months before the Oct. 7 attacks, Netanyahu suffered dehydration and was admitted to a hospital in July 2023.  The Israeli leader said that he became dehydrated after visiting the Sea of Galilee without water or sun protection during a heatwave.

A week after being admitted for dehydration, Netanyahu's doctors implanted a pacemaker to regulate his heart rate and rhythm.

Netanyahu's most recent operation came as the 75-year-old politician continues to testify in a corruption case against him in Israel. He took the stand earlier in December and is expected to continue testifying in the new year.

Netanyahu is also currently leading the IDF on multiple fronts across the Middle East, continuing to target Iranian terrorists and their proxies.

Yonat Friling contributed to this report.