The White House Ensures that the United States Will Not Send Troops to the Gaza Strip

John Kirby. (Wikimedia Commons/Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)

JAKARTA - The White House confirmed Wednesday that the United States will not deploy troops in the Gaza Strip, Palestine in a peacekeeping role in the future, as it discusses with its allies what post-conflict Gaza will look like.

"There are no plans or intentions to place US military forces in Gaza, now or in the future," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters, reported by Reuters, November 2.

Furthermore, Kirby also said that Uncle Sam's country does not believe that the Palestinian militant group Hamas can be involved in the future government of the Gaza Strip, when the war with Israel ends.

As the United States and its allies and partners discuss options for post-war Gaza, Kirby said that putting Hamas in charge would be problematic.

"We believe that Hamas cannot be the future government in Gaza. They cannot," said Kirby.

"What happens after the conflict, we don't have all the answers yet, but we are working with our partners in the region to explore what governance looks like in Gaza," he explained.

Regarding the potential for a refugee crisis among people living in Gaza, Kirby said the United States does not support the permanent settlement of Gaza civilians outside Gaza, which is run by Hamas.

He added that with the increasing number of civilian casualties in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war, he said Washington did not believe now was the time for a general ceasefire, although he said a humanitarian pause remained necessary.

It is known that Israel bombarded and blockaded the Gaza Strip, following Hamas' attack on its southern territory on October 7, causing around 300 soldiers and around 1,100 civilians to die, Israeli authorities said.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health said at least 8,796 Palestinians in the enclave, including 3,648 children, have died since the latest crisis broke out more than three weeks ago.