The US is planning to build a large military base in an Israeli border area near the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported.
Israeli officials familiar with the matter told Shomrim news website that the planned base – with an estimated cost of around $500 million – will host the International Stabilization Force (ISF) that will operate in Gaza to maintain the ceasefire.
According to the report, US officials have been discussing the proposal with the Israeli government and the military over the past weeks and have started considering potential locations for the base, which will accommodate several thousand soldiers.
The base will mark a significant shift in the US involvement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as the American military presence in Israel has so far been limited. It will also underscore Washington’s commitment to stabilization efforts in postwar Gaza.
However, the move could spark internal political debate in the US, as many of the Republicans oppose expanding US military presence abroad, citing domestic budget concerns and voter exhaustion with foreign interventions.
After the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect on October 10, Washington sent around 200 troops to the US Central Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Israel to monitor the implementation of the agreement.
Furthermore, the base could boost US efforts to reduce Israel’s operational autonomy in Gaza. According to Israeli officials, the CMCC could assume full responsibility for aid distribution in the Strip. Thus, the US will limit Israel’s control over humanitarian and security operations in Gaza.
