Scene of devastation in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes (Photo: AFP).
Bloomberg reported on November 30 that US and Israeli officials are considering establishing an international peacekeeping force in the Gaza Strip. This plan is likely to be implemented if Israel achieves its goal of destroying Hamas in Gaza.
According to inside sources, after Israel launched a plan to intensify its ground offensive in Gaza, the US and Israel have calculated future scenarios for this land, including a number of different peacekeeping agreements.
"One of the proposed options is to give regional countries temporary oversight of the situation in the Gaza Strip, backed by the US, UK, Germany and France. Ideally, representatives from Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would also join the task," Bloomberg quoted the source as saying.
Many officials stressed that the negotiations were still in their early stages. However, a statement made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before lawmakers showed that the US was already deep into implementing the plan.
"We cannot reverse the current situation while Hamas forces are still in power in the Gaza Strip. We cannot let the Israelis run or control this area," the US Secretary of State said before the October 31 Senate hearing.
While the US diplomat did not elaborate on all the options Washington is considering, other officials said one of them includes the creation of a peacekeeping force modeled on the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, which would see a Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) tasked with monitoring parts of the Sinai Peninsula.
After announcing a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was seeking to "eliminate Hamas" and create a new "security regime."
The official stressed that Israel would no longer be responsible for daily life in Gaza, implying that Israel would seek to hand over the administration of the area to a third party.
However, on the US side, President Joe Biden has not made a final decision and has clearly shown hesitation in placing part of the US military in a dangerous area.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas flared up again on October 7 after a two-year lull. The fighting over the past three weeks has left about 10,000 people dead in Gaza and Israel. Israel has so far declared no ceasefire and will pursue a military campaign to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and power in Gaza.
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