US ‘could take over post-war Gaza'
The US could take over the administration of post-war Gaza under plans discussed by American and Israeli officials, it has been reported.
The leaked discussions propose US leadership of a temporary government that would oversee the war-torn region until a viable Palestinian administration emerges.
Sources compared the proposed American takeover with the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, which ran the country in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion.
No timescale for the post-war government has been quoted, nor have any details been given of when the discussions took place.
Reports of the proposal came days after Israel announced plans for a massive expansion of its military campaign in Gaza if a hostage deal is not struck by the end of next week.
The operation would see Israeli troops for the first time 'conquer' the strip by seizing and holding on to territory in an effort to defeat Hamas for good, or to put so much pressure on the group that it offers a hostage deal.
It would also involve the entire population being ordered to move to a relatively small 'humanitarian' zone in the south.
The strategy has alarmed some foreign capitals, as well as the UN, which voiced fears for Palestinian civilians.
On Wednesday, a group of UN experts said the international community was at a 'moral crossroads' on the future of Gaza.
Their comments were criticised by Israel, which refuses to envisage a future for Gaza in which Hamas continues to exist inside the strip.
It has also apparently ruled out a future administration run by the Palestinian Authority, the body which runs the West Bank, saying it is little better than Hamas.
Arab governments have proposed that the Palestinian Authority runs the Strip at least until elections can be called.
American involvement in the running of an Arab population after the experience of Iraq could be controversial in the region, even if Palestinian officials were involved in the transitional government.
It could also be seen as a step towards Donald Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' vision, announced in February, in which he said that the US would 'take over' the enclave and remove its population.
According to his plan, Palestinian civilians would be displaced to other Arab countries in order for the Strip to be rebuilt along the lines of Tel Aviv or Dubai.
Israel is developing a mechanism for Gazans to leave 'voluntarily' once in the south of the strip, but no neighbouring countries have agreed to allow them in.
It is not known whether the reported US-Israeli proposals for American temporary governance of Gaza would see the displacement of civilians.
Meanwhile, Israel has appeared to ramp up its air strikes in preparation for the expanded military operation, which will see the call-up of tens of thousands of reservists.
According to the Strip's health ministry, which is run by Hamas, strikes on Wednesday in central Gaza killed at least 33 people and wounded 86, including several children.
The Israel Defense Forces made no immediate comment on the claims.
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Reuters
3 hours ago
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Israeli military says it struck Hamas member in southern Syria
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