Politico cited two Pentagon officials and two other U.S. officials as saying the Pentagon will continue to fund peacekeeping forces in the war-torn Gaza Strip after the end of the conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. It is reported that initial negotiations are underway.
The options on the table do not include keeping U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza after the war, but instead go toward funding coalition forces, Palestinian peacekeeping forces, and meeting other needs. The officials said on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing diplomatic and military details. negotiation, according to Go to Politico. Talks on what post-war stabilization in the Gaza Strip would look like are far from final, but participants hope Israel will commit to a two-state solution before fully fleshing out plans. officials said.
A senior administration official told Politico: “We are working with partners on various scenarios for transitional governance and security structures in Gaza after the crisis passes.” “We have had numerous discussions with both Israelis and partners about the key elements of the next day in Gaza at the appropriate time.” (Related: ‘Terrible idea’: Biden’s Gaza aid plan puts troops at risk to appease voters, experts say)
Under one proposal, the Department of Defense (DOD) would provide aid for reconstruction, infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance, a Pentagon official told Politico.
Other countries will also provide funding and support, but the Pentagon will likely need to pull resources from other parts of the department to support this effort, two U.S. officials said. Stated.
One of the dilemmas, Politico reports, is whether it is feasible to train Palestinian-led teams to carry out peacekeeping operations in time. Another factor derailing discussions stems from Israel’s reluctance to respond positively to the appearance of such forces until Hamas is defeated and the remaining hostages are secured, while Some factions are demanding that Israel occupy Gaza after the war.
“Israel is a long pole in a tent,” one Pentagon official told Politico, adding that Israel “has its hands full with other things.”
“It would be a different story if the administration and the Israeli government were in agreement on the future direction, but that is not the case,” the official said.
According to Politico, officials said parties to the negotiations include the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and foreign officials.
On March 26, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (right) meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (second from left) at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. (Photo by DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Politico, Pentagon officials said the Pentagon began considering plans for a peacekeeping force around the new year, when Israel began signaling a reduction in ground operations in Gaza.
One Pentagon official said the talks were not final and planners are still deciding which countries will participate in peacekeeping operations as it remains unclear when and how the war will end. He says he hasn’t.
Israel is planning an attack on Hamas strongholds in Rafah, a densely populated area in the southernmost tip of Gaza, despite pressure from the Biden administration against the operation, which is expected to cause civilian casualties.
“We’ve been having last-minute discussions with our regional partners about what they want to do, what they want to contribute, what they want to accommodate, but it hasn’t been seriously considered by our Israeli partners,” the official said. Stated.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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