Exploring Gaza future after genocide: US and Israeli schemes

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
21 Oct 2023 10:46

US and Israeli officials have deliberated on the possibility of an interim government with "UN backing", as per Bloomberg.

Rubble litters a street between smoldering residential buildings by an Israeli air raid on the Jabalia refugee camp. (AP)

US and Israeli authorities, in their considerations for the Gaza Strip's future after "neutralizing" the Palestinian Hamas Resistance, have initiated conversations about various options. This includes the potential establishment of an "interim government with UN backing" and in collaboration with Arab nations, Bloomberg reported citing "people familiar with US government deliberations".

The conversations are in their initial phases and rely on forthcoming developments, particularly the potential outcome of an Israeli ground offensive as per those familiar with these discussions, who wished to remain anonymous when disclosing confidential deliberations, the report added.

They have noted that the viability of such a scenario largely depends on securing support from Arab nations throughout the region, a prospect that is far from guaranteed, the report acknowledged.

Israeli officials have consistently claimed that they do not plan to establish a long-term occupation in Gaza, but they have also expressed their objection to continued "Hamas rule" since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

The report added that the challenge of simultaneously achieving both objectives has raised concerns in the US.

Bloomberg reported that insiders familiar with the #Biden administration's position indicate that the White House is worried about "Israel's" lack of a post-invasion strategy for #Gaza.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/Wpse5WFuA5
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 15, 2023

They worry that "Israel" may not have thoroughly considered the post-ground assault scenario. The US is also concerned that a ground invasion with an unclear objective could escalate into a regional war.

In the midst of these ongoing discussions, the United States and its allies have attempted to delay the ground invasion to provide more time for residents to "evacuate" northern Gaza and to facilitate confidential negotiations, mediated by Qatar, aimed at securing the release of those held captive by Hamas, the report added. These efforts have already yielded the release of two US citizens, a mother and daughter from Illinois, on Friday.

It is worth noting that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) issued warnings to Palestinians in north Gaza through phone calls, text messages, and fliers to evacuate to southern areas so the IOF could conduct operations in Gaza City. However, many Palestinians who followed these evacuation instructions were tragically killed in Israeli airstrikes outside of the designated safe zones.

On this note, Senior Egyptian security sources have lately confirmed that the Israeli occupation entity sought to propose and "recommend" corrupt "suggestions", noting that among them was the suggestion to "settle the people of the Gaza Strip in Sinai."

Security sources told the Cairo News Channel that these suggestions were "rejected and will continue to be rejected by Egypt," stressing that the entirety of the Palestinian people stands against any such suggestions.

Going back to the debate of forming an interim government, William Usher, a former senior Middle East analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, said as quoted by Bloomberg, that the issue is a highly complex endeavor, and securing the approval of Arab governments would pose an even greater hurdle.

The big picture

Countries across the globe witnessed massive demonstrations, most notably in Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, Algeria, France, Spain, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, and even the United States, which saw large numbers of Jewish anti-Zionist protesters. This prompted the entity to evacuate its embassy staff from Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco, and Turkmenistan. Moreover, "Tel Aviv" also asked envoys in 20 countries to stay home.

In response to the US position on the war and the strong public reaction against the aggression and in support of Palestine, several Arab countries are turning to other global powers like China, Europe, Russia, and even Iran, seeking assistance to de-escalate the situation. Saudi Arabia, which was on the path toward normalizing relations with "Israel", condemned the occupation entity for the hospital massacre, with Saudi officials engaging in talks with Iran, a known supporter of the Resistance.

There have been calls in several countries urging people to head to occupied #Palestine to aid #Gazans who are suffering from Israeli aggression and a brutal complete siege. This footage shows #Iraqis reaching the #Jordanian border.#Iraq #Jordan #GazaUnderAttack… pic.twitter.com/YldYqvXxkN
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023

As the Israeli occupation army is reportedly prepping for a massive invasion of besieged Gaza and the Palestinian martyrs are rising by the hundreds, public anger in the region is anticipated to surge.

Arab leaders, including those who normalized ties with "Israel" are in a precarious position, attempting to navigate international relations cautiously while maintaining domestic stability.