Israel is seeking Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas to manage civilian affairs in areas of the Gaza Strip designed as testing grounds for post-conflict administration of the enclave, a senior Israeli official said.

But Hamas said the plan, which the Israeli official said would also exclude anybody on the payroll of the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority (PA), would effectively mean an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza and was doomed to failure, Reuters reports.

The Israeli official said the planned “humanitarian pockets” would be in districts of the Gaza Strip from which Hamas has been expelled, but that their ultimate success would hinge on Israel achieving its goal of destroying the group across the tiny coastal territory that it has been governing.

“We’re looking for the right people to step up to the plate,” the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

“But it is clear that this will take time, as no one will come forward if they think Hamas will put a bullet in their head.”

The plan, the official added, “may be achieved once Hamas is destroyed and doesn’t pose a threat to Israel or to Gazans”.