Foreign Minister Antony Blinken Says US And A Number Of Countries Discuss Gaza's Future Options After Hamas

JAKARTA - The United States together with a number of countries are considering various possible changes to the future of the Gaza Strip, if the Hamas militant group is successfully removed from the region, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said.

Speaking to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Foreign Minister Blinken said the status quo of the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas which leads a densely populated enclave could not continue, but Israel also did not want to control Gaza.

Between the two positions are "the various possible permutations we are observing closely at this time, as are other countries," Foreign Minister Blinken said.

What makes the most sense at one point, Blinken said, is "The effective and revitalized Palestinian Authority" to have a government over Gaza, but the question is whether it can be achieved.

"And if you can't, then there are other temporary arrangements that might involve a number of other countries in the region. This may involve international agencies that will help provide security and governance," said Foreign Minister Blinken.

Washington has spoken with Israel, as well as other countries in the region, about how to regulate the Palestinian enclave if Israel wins on the battlefield, but a clear plan has not yet emerged.

Among the options being explored by the United States and Israel is the possibility of multinational forces possibly involving US troops, or Gaza will be placed under UN surveillance for a while, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

Responding to the report, the White House said sending US troops to Gaza as part of the peacekeeping force was not something to consider or discuss.

Meanwhile, some US President Joe Biden's aides are concerned, although Israel may be drafting an effective plan to cause long-term damage to Hamas, it has yet to formulate an exit strategy.

"We have had initial talks about what the future of Gaza will look like," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing.

"I hope this will be the subject of good diplomatic engagement in the future," Miller said.