Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during his visit to Washington, raised the issue of the possibility of deploying a military contingent from Arab countries in Gaza to monitor order in the sector and escort humanitarian convoys.
Israel raised the issue of a military contingent from Arab countries in Gaza
The multinational force will help establish an alternative to Hamas rule in Gaza.
This is reported by Axios .
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has raised the possibility of creating a multinational military force with troops from Arab countries to improve law and order in Gaza and escort humanitarian aid convoys, two senior Israeli officials told the newspaper.
An alternative to Hamas rule in Gaza must be found.
According to the publication, during meetings with the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the Israeli minister asked the US for political and material support for such an initiative, but without the presence of the US military there.
The proposal, Israeli officials said, is for Arab forces to remain in Gaza for a limited transition period and be responsible for the security of a temporary port the US will build off the coast.
It is also suggested that they escort humanitarian convoys so that the aid reaches the local population and does not get looted or fall into the hands of Hamas.
According to Axios, Israeli military and officials have discussed this issue in recent weeks with representatives of three Arab countries, including Egypt.
There is progress in promoting this initiative, both in terms of the readiness of the Biden administration to discuss it, and in terms of the openness of Arab countries to this idea, said an Israeli official.
At the same time, an Arab official from one of the countries with whom the idea was discussed said that Minister Gallant appeared to have misunderstood the Arab position.
According to him, Arab countries are currently not ready to send troops to provide security for humanitarian convoys, but may consider sending troops as peacekeepers after the end of the war.
What is known about secret US military aid to Israel
Journalists note that the approval of the military aid took place despite the concern of the White House regarding Israel's plans to carry out an offensive in the south of Gaza.
Representatives of the Joe Biden administration fear that the planned offensive of the Israeli army will endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
The publication notes that Israel probably received weapons packages from the US, which include 1,800 MK84 bombs and 500 MK82 bombs.
"We continue to support Israel's right to self-defense," the White House said.
