Gallant proposes Arab troop-led force for Gaza post-war: Axios

Axios reported on Friday, citing two senior Israeli officials, that Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant suggested establishing a multinational military force involving Arab troops to enhance law enforcement in Gaza and facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

The report states that Gallant sought political and material backing from the US for the proposal during his meetings in Washington this week with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. 

The report indicated that Gallant did not seek the participation of US troops in the force. Instead, the proposal entails an Arab force securing a temporary pier constructed by the US off Gaza’s coast. This force would accompany humanitarian convoys during a specified transition period, ensuring the safe delivery of aid.

“Such a move will build a governing body in the enclave that is not Hamas and will address Israel’s growing problem with the US when it comes to the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” a senior Israeli official speculated, as quoted by Axios.

An Arab official from a nation involved in the discussions told Axios that Gallant appears to have misunderstood the Arab stance, clarifying that Arab nations are presently not inclined to deploy troops for securing aid convoys, but may contemplate contributing troops for a peacekeeping mission post-war. 

Since the start of the war, the Israeli forces have been engaged in a genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip, which includes strategies aimed at inducing a man-made famine through blockades.

Under mounting international pressure, the regime eventually yielded to demands to supply Gaza’s civilians with humanitarian aid and food. However, these efforts have proven disastrous as occupation troops open fire on those attempting to collect food and aid supplies.

On February 29, over a hundred Palestinians who had come to collect food supplies from convoys in the North were killed by Israeli forces. The army claimed that a stampede occurred as they were trying to distribute aid, blaming the crowded group for injuring other Palestinians and causing trucks to strike civilians. However, considering the number of civilians killed in the event, these accusations are incorrect.

Several other episodes of such massacres have occurred at the Kuwaiti roundabout. Due to numerous pictures circulating across social media showing bags of flour soaked in blood, these massacres have acquired the label of “flour massacres.”

The US, on its part, has previously dispatched stocks of aid several times, with some of the airdrops resulting in fatalities among civilians. 

On Tuesday, twelve Palestinians drowned while attempting to collect aid dropped by plane off a Gaza beach, Palestinian health officials reported.

Earlier this week, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for Ramadan. The motion was sponsored by the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC. Fourteen countries voted in favor, while the US abstained.

On Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stated in a press release that Israel must guarantee unhindered access to humanitarian aid and all essential services for the Gaza Strip.