In the waning hours of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, senior U.S. and Israeli officials have quietly held high-level talks on a possible U.S.-led provisional administration to govern the territory once hostilities end, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The proposal, modelled in part on the post-invasion Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, remains at a preliminary stage and faces both legal and political hurdles, reports Reuters
Under the concept outlined in Washington and Jerusalem, a senior U.S. diplomat or military official would head an interim government responsible for maintaining security, coordinating humanitarian relief and rebuilding civic institutions in Gaza.
This arrangement would last “until Gaza had been demilitarised and stable, and a viable Palestinian administration had emerged,”
one source said.
Crucially, neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority would take part in the provisional body, which instead would recruit Palestinian technocrats and potentially draw on support from friendly Arab states.
Participants in the talks envision deploying precision security forces under U.S. command, backed by a small multinational civilian staff. Locations for governance offices, training centres and humanitarian hubs are still under review. Legal advisers are studying how the United Nations Charter, as well as existing bilateral agreements, could provide a mandate. One Western diplomat cautioned that any foreign administration risked accusations of occupation under international law.
The plan has drawn scepticism across the Middle East. Some Arab capitals see the proposal as a further extension of foreign control over Palestinian affairs rather than a genuine step toward self-rule. Iran and Turkey have already denounced the talks as a violation of Palestinian sovereignty. Inside Gaza, militants loyal to Hamas have rejected the idea outright, arguing that no external party should govern the Strip.
Israeli calculations and domestic politics
Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have publicly acknowledged exploring an “international trustee arrangement” for Gaza involving moderate Arab partners. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government remains adamant that the Palestinian Authority, which currently administers parts of the occupied West Bank, must not regain control of Gaza. The provisional U.S. role is seen in Jerusalem as a way to fill the vacuum and prevent a security relapse.
Despite the high-profile nature of the discussions, no formal agreement has been reached. U.S. and Israeli delegations continue to refine proposals in parallel with ceasefire negotiations and hostage-release talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Observers caution that the operation’s success hinges on securing buy-in from Gaza’s fragmented political factions and neighbouring states. With the next phase of negotiations set to resume in the coming weeks, the fate of Gaza’s governance structure remains one of the most contentious questions in the post-war landscape.
For in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Gaza’s future administration, visit The Australia Today.
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