DaysofPal – The United States is set to establish a large military base near Gaza, signaling a direct role in the Strip even as Israel persists in violating the ceasefire with relentless airstrikes, artillery fire, and demolitions.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported, citing the Hebrew site Shomrim, that Washington intends to build a large-scale base in the Gaza periphery.
According to Israeli officials familiar with the plans, the base will host international forces expected to operate within the Strip to help maintain the ceasefire. The facility is designed to accommodate several thousand troops, with an estimated budget of around $500 million.
Officials explained that the US has recently accelerated consultations with the Israeli government and military while simultaneously studying potential sites for the base along the Gaza border.
Shomrim highlighted that this move represents a major shift in US policy toward the conflict. Since 1967, Israel has traditionally limited international presence in the Palestinian territories. The new project, however, reflects Washington’s determination to play a direct role in managing the Gaza situation.
Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the project could spark internal debate in the United States, particularly among Republicans opposed to expanding American military involvement abroad.
The new base is expected to complement other US initiatives that have limited Israel’s freedom of action in Gaza, especially regarding the entry of humanitarian aid, which Israel had often used as leverage against Hamas.
Israeli sources claim that Israel will only be able to participate through the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, with the US command center in Kiryat Gat assuming complete control over the distribution of humanitarian aid within Gaza. Shomrim cited Tel Aviv University researcher Michael Milstein, who stated, “The US command center will be responsible for most activities in Gaza, and Israel’s position as a central actor in the Strip is on the verge of a fundamental change.”
The US embassy reportedly referred inquiries about the project to the Department of Defense and US Central Command but has not provided an official response.
The ceasefire put an end to a genocidal war waged by Israel with US assistance that destroyed 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and killed over 69,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, and injured over 170,000.
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