Israeli Channel Reports U.S. Proposal for Gaza Governance Post-War Including Formation of Transitional Council

The Israeli Channel 12 recently revealed a U.S. proposal presented to the Palestinian Authority regarding the future administration of Gaza following the cessation of Israel’s current offensive. The proposal suggests establishing a transitional council and deploying a multinational force to facilitate the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

According to the channel, the United States proposed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a framework for Gaza’s future governance. While this framework includes a role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in managing Gaza, it would not grant the PA full control over the territory.

The channel further reported, “Abbas has yet to respond to the proposal, but close sources indicate he is not particularly favorable to it.” So far, there has been no official statement from either the Palestinian Authority or Hamas regarding this Israeli media report.

Formation of a Transitional Executive Council

The alleged U.S. proposal outlines plans for the PA, with the support of unspecified international partners, to establish civil governance, security arrangements, and initial reconstruction efforts in Gaza during a transitional period.

International partners, in cooperation with the PA, would establish an executive council for the transition, including representatives from Gaza. The plan would also involve restoring some Palestinian ministries and authorities to the area, focusing on essential services like water, banking, energy, commerce, and supplies for hospitals.

The proposal also reportedly includes provisions for international partners to train and equip new Palestinian security forces, which would operate independently of Hamas. These PA-controlled security forces would take responsibility for law and order in Gaza, eventually assuming complete security oversight of the territory.

Additionally, the PA would assume control of administrative offices and ministries that were previously under Hamas’ jurisdiction in Gaza.

Deployment of a Multinational Force

The proposal suggests that international partners form a temporary multinational force, coordinated with the PA and involving key regional and international allies, to secure Gaza’s borders and ensure the effective delivery of humanitarian aid.

This plan would also involve a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, with the temporary administration assuming various responsibilities. International partners, including the United States, would contribute funding to support the formation of the interim government, with financial resources channeled through a dedicated fund managed by the PA.

According to the source, revenue from taxes and customs collected by Israel would be transferred to the PA, including the Gaza-specific fund, to facilitate reconstruction efforts.

The proposal includes organizing an international conference where partner countries could offer substantial financial and political support for the transition. Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are expected to provide regular monthly aid to support the PA’s budget in Ramallah and assist in reform initiatives during this transitional phase.

Unification of Gaza and the West Bank

Channel 12 reported that the temporary administration, in partnership with the United Nations, would expand its humanitarian role in Gaza without engaging with Hamas or any other designated terrorist organizations.

The proposal also commits Israel to avoid actions in the West Bank that could hinder progress toward a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It further obligates Israel to adhere to the terms of the Sharm El-Sheikh and Aqaba agreements, reiterating its commitment to the status quo in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The Palestinian and Israeli sides held two meetings in 2023, first in Aqaba, Jordan, in late February and then in Sharm El-Sheikh three weeks later. Both meetings, sponsored by the U.S. with participation from Jordan and Egypt, emphasized the need to de-escalate and halt unilateral measures, including settlement construction, to foster calm and rebuild trust between the two sides. They also established economic and security committees.

The U.S. proposal states that “partner countries would issue a declaration of intent, pledging to support the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under a single government, unified security apparatus, and legal framework as the first step toward establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.”

The proposal concludes by suggesting that partner countries, in coordination with Israel, seek a U.N. Security Council resolution to endorse the proposed framework, establish an international mission in cooperation with the PA, and define its objectives.