Politico reported that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is considering appointing an American as the chief civilian advisor to a predominantly Palestinian force after the Gaza Strip conflict ends.
This move indicates a significant planned involvement by the U.S. in securing the post-war situation.
The advisor would be stationed in the region, collaborating closely with the force’s commander, who might be Palestinian or from another Arab country.
Politico reported that discussions are ongoing about the advisor’s official powers.
These discussions, involving the White House, Pentagon, and State Department, emphasize the U.S.’s expected central role in Gaza’s future, aiming to improve the lives of its 2.2 million residents.
The advisor, however, would not enter Gaza, possibly avoiding any implications of U.S. control over the area’s future. Locations like Sinai or Jordan are considered for stationing the advisor.
This plan is part of broader efforts by the U.S., which includes supporting Israel’s military actions against Hamas while advocating for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Biden administration is engaging international partners in planning Gaza’s stabilization post-conflict, which includes security maintenance and economic rebuilding, while also discussing the formation and authority of a peacekeeping force.
A ceasefire and the release of detainees are prerequisites, with ongoing efforts to involve Arab nations in the peacekeeping initiative and forming an interim Palestinian governance structure.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Friday Israel must halt its military offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza.
The UN’s top court also affirmed that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt must be opened for the entry of humanitarian aid “at scale”
South Africa appealed to the ICJ to order a cessation of the Israeli military’s entire operation in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, arguing that the military campaign makes life in the region untenable and therefore constitutes a violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
