The US military's plans for Gaza's future are causing concern and controversy. The strategy involves dividing Gaza into a 'green zone' under international and Israeli military control, where reconstruction would begin, and a 'red zone' left in ruins. This approach raises questions about the US's commitment to a lasting political settlement with Palestinian rule across Gaza, as promised by Donald Trump. The plans have been rapidly evolving, reflecting a chaotic and improvised strategy to address one of the world's most complex conflicts and provide aid to 2 million Palestinians. Initially, the US proposed fenced-in camps for small groups of Palestinians, but these plans were abandoned this week. The US military's proposal for an international stabilisation force (ISF) is at the heart of Trump's 20-point 'peace plan'. However, the plan's feasibility is questionable due to the reluctance of European leaders to risk their soldiers' lives in Gaza, despite their willingness to provide other forms of support. The US's vision for the ISF's deployment is ambitious, starting with a few hundred troops and expanding to a full strength of 20,000. This plan raises concerns about the potential for the ISF to be perceived as propping up an ongoing Israeli occupation of Gaza. The US's commitment to reconstruction within the 'green zone' is also controversial, as it involves convincing Palestinian civilians to move into an area under Israeli control, a strategy that has been criticized for its similarities to the US military failures in Iraq and Afghanistan. The urgency of reconstruction is evident, with over 80% of structures in Gaza damaged or destroyed, including most schools and hospitals. However, Israel continues to limit aid shipments, including basic items, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
