Biden administration weighs formation of post-war force to rule Gaza

The Biden administration is making preparations for the formation of what it calls peacekeeping force which would be composed by vetted Palestinians or Arabs in postwar Gaza with a US official serving as its top civilian advisor, Politico reports, citing four US officials with knowledge on the matter.

The US expects to play a prominent role in rebuilding and rehabilitating the Gaza Strip following the Israeli destruction aided by US weaponry. 

One option on the table is to appoint a US official to serve as a civilian adviser to the force. According to the report, the US is also working to persuade Egypt, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates to join the force, should it be formed.

A document obtained by Politico suggests that the peacekeeping force should not be “a US-commanded mission” as it would likely “encounter fierce resistance by the Palestinian people given US support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza”.

The document suggests that the force would be composed of some 2,000 Palestinian members and an additional 1,000 members from Arab countries, with an “appropriately senior officer” from either Israel, Egypt of a reformed Palestinian Authority at its helm.

The US currently favours Egypt as the contender to lead the force, according to the report.