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Israel tells US it will 'accept international forces taking over Gaza'

Israel has reportedly told the US that it will allow international forces to take control of the Gaza Strip following its current indiscriminate war on the territory
2 min read
16 November, 2023
US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk visited Israel on Wednesday [Getty]

Israel has reportedly agreed to allow international forces to be deployed toÌýthe Gaza Strip after its current assault on the Palestinian territory ends.

US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk was informed of the during his visit to Israel on Wednesday, when he sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reportedÌýon Thursday.Ìý

Israel had previously said that it hadÌýruled out the return of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, Kan’s sources said.Ìý

Netanyahu said last week that Israeli forces will have "indefinite security control" of Gaza but has backtracked following pressure from the US.

Voices

Washington said Israel cannot occupy the enclave after the war, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenting last week that the administration of Gaza had to be "re-unified" with the West Bank, parts of which are controlled by President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 following a bitter conflict with forces from Abbas's Fatah movement and there are serious doubts over whether the PA will be able to exercise control in the territory given the implications this would have for the authority's legitimacy.

A source previously toldÌý°®ÂþµºÌýthat the "image of the PA arriving behind Israeli tanks and warplanes, and then trying to administer a shattered and ravaged Gaza, is highly impractical".Ìý

While Western governments want to involve the PA in the future of Gaza, diplomats believe Abbas does not have sufficient authority or supportÌýfrom his people to take charge.Ìý

Israel has continued itsÌýindiscriminate bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza City, announcing this week the seizure of the parliament building, government offices and Hamas police headquarters.Ìý

The Palestinian health ministry has said the death toll from the offensive is now nearly 11,500, most of them women and children.

There have been calls around the world for a ceasefire amid growing outrage over civilian casualties and the targeting of hospitals but the US has so far refused to back one.

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