The United States and its partners are reportedly discussing sending foreign troops to Gaza to serve as an \u2018international peacekeeping force\u2019 in the region currently controlled by Hamas militants following the war in Israel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two U.S. senators confirmed the early, closed-door talks to Politico, though it is unclear if negotiations including potential sending American troops.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018There certainly has been discussion with the Saudi about their being part of some international peacekeeping force if only to provide resources, and, longer term, supporting Palestinian leadership and a separate state, obviously,\u2019 Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told Politico. \u2018Reconstruction of Gaza will require a vast amount of resources, which the Saudis potentially could help provide.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m not sure how active the conversation is about U.S. troops,\u2019 Blumenthal added, speaking of the discussions he had with the congressional delegation with whom he traveled to Israel last month. \u2018I would think that maybe an international force could be mustered without U.S. troops.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018There are ongoing conversations regarding the possible composition of an international force,\u2019 Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., also told Politico, reportedly declining to go into detail. \u2018They are very preliminary and fragile.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I do think it\u2019d be important to have some kind of multinational force in Gaza as a transition to whatever comes next,\u2019 he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg first reported that the United States and Israel were weighing the option of a multinational force in the Gaza Strip once Hamas is ousted. However, in a statement to the outlet, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson reported denied \u2018sending U.S. troops\u2019 was under consideration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking with Politico, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin, D-Md., who traveled to the Middle East with Blumenthal, said talks with Israeli officials included how aid and security would be administered in Gaza after the conflict. Though he prefers a multinational force, Cardin explained that sensitivities in the region to American troops could deter them from being involved heavily in the coalition intended to maintain order.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s got to be credible, it\u2019s got to provide security, and it has to involve the surrounding states that believe in a two-state solution,\u2019 Cardin said.<\/p>\n
Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that the Biden administration prefers that the Palestinian Authority lead Gaza after Hamas\u2019 defeat if possible. However, that is only if, \u2018there are other temporary arrangements that may involve a number of other countries in the region,\u2019 he told lawmakers. \u2018It may involve international agencies that would help provide for both security and governance.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n