The US and Israel are considering various scenarios for the future of the Gaza Strip after removing Hamas, the militant group that launched a deadly attack on Israel earlier this month.
According to sources familiar with US government deliberations, one of the possibilities is to install an interim government in Gaza that would be backed by the United Nations and have the involvement of Arab countries.
However, this option is still at an early stage and depends on many factors, such as the success of an Israeli ground assault and the support of regional actors.
Israel has stated that it does not intend to occupy Gaza, but it also finds continued rule by Hamas unacceptable after the October 7 attack, in which the group killed 1,400 Israelis and took 200 people hostage.
The US is concerned about the potential consequences of a ground invasion and is focused on uniting the world against terrorists and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The fate of Gaza after the likely ground operation has become one of the most pressing worries for American officials. In the two weeks since the Hamas attack took place, President Joe Biden’s team has sought to balance support for Israel with concerns about an unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said the focus at the moment is uniting the world against terrorists and on delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza as soon as possible. Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union.
The UN has spoken about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but Israel is getting so much support from the US, the UK and other countries that its statements have not been taken as seriously as they should have been, according to former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, who expressed concern over the conflict and its potential impact on Indians working in the region.