US Military Plots for Gaza Division with "Green Zone" Under Israeli and International Control
The US military is planning to divide Gaza into two zones: a "green zone" where international and Israeli troops will secure reconstruction efforts, and a "red zone" left in ruins. The division would be sealed off from the rest of Gaza by the current Israeli-controlled yellow line.
This plan raises questions about Washington's commitment to turning last month's ceasefire into an enduring political settlement with Palestinian rule across Gaza. US military planning documents, seen by the Guardian, reveal a chaotic and improvised approach to resolving one of the world's most complex conflicts. The concept of a "green zone" echoes the disastrous policies of previous US conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The plan for reconstruction in the green zone involves enticing Palestinian civilians to move into the area under Israeli control, with aid serving as a lure. This strategy has failed in the past, as seen in southern Helmand province, where the US claimed it was bringing "government in a box" to win over locals, only to have the area remain an insurgent stronghold.
The division of Gaza into two zones would allow for the demilitarization of Palestinian factions and an eventual Israeli withdrawal to a security perimeter carved out of Palestinian land. However, this plan has sparked concerns among humanitarian organizations and potential troop-contributing nations, who fear that it could lead to accusations of propping up an ongoing Israeli occupation.
The US military expects core contributions from a broad group of NATO and partner countries, including European forces. The plan for the international security force (ISF) envisions deploying troops in small numbers initially, then expanding to a full-strength force of 20,000 across Gaza.
Jordan has been listed as a possible contributor of hundreds of light infantry troops and up to 3,000 police officers, despite King Abdullah's explicit ruling out sending troops due to political proximity with Gaza. The Israeli military will consider conditions for withdrawing from Gaza at a later stage when international security is in place.
The need for reconstruction is urgent, with more than 80% of structures in Gaza damaged or destroyed in the war, including almost all schools and hospitals. Israel continues to limit aid shipments into Gaza, barring basic items that it classifies as "dual use" due to potential military uses. Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians are waiting for emergency shelter items, while hundreds of thousands more live in tents without access to basic services such as clean water.
The US military is planning to divide Gaza into two zones: a "green zone" where international and Israeli troops will secure reconstruction efforts, and a "red zone" left in ruins. The division would be sealed off from the rest of Gaza by the current Israeli-controlled yellow line.
This plan raises questions about Washington's commitment to turning last month's ceasefire into an enduring political settlement with Palestinian rule across Gaza. US military planning documents, seen by the Guardian, reveal a chaotic and improvised approach to resolving one of the world's most complex conflicts. The concept of a "green zone" echoes the disastrous policies of previous US conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The plan for reconstruction in the green zone involves enticing Palestinian civilians to move into the area under Israeli control, with aid serving as a lure. This strategy has failed in the past, as seen in southern Helmand province, where the US claimed it was bringing "government in a box" to win over locals, only to have the area remain an insurgent stronghold.
The division of Gaza into two zones would allow for the demilitarization of Palestinian factions and an eventual Israeli withdrawal to a security perimeter carved out of Palestinian land. However, this plan has sparked concerns among humanitarian organizations and potential troop-contributing nations, who fear that it could lead to accusations of propping up an ongoing Israeli occupation.
The US military expects core contributions from a broad group of NATO and partner countries, including European forces. The plan for the international security force (ISF) envisions deploying troops in small numbers initially, then expanding to a full-strength force of 20,000 across Gaza.
Jordan has been listed as a possible contributor of hundreds of light infantry troops and up to 3,000 police officers, despite King Abdullah's explicit ruling out sending troops due to political proximity with Gaza. The Israeli military will consider conditions for withdrawing from Gaza at a later stage when international security is in place.
The need for reconstruction is urgent, with more than 80% of structures in Gaza damaged or destroyed in the war, including almost all schools and hospitals. Israel continues to limit aid shipments into Gaza, barring basic items that it classifies as "dual use" due to potential military uses. Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians are waiting for emergency shelter items, while hundreds of thousands more live in tents without access to basic services such as clean water.