The United States is looking to establish a basic stabilization of Gaza, and planning is underway for an international force to go into the Palestinian enclave, said a senior US adviser, speaking with Reuters on condition of anonymity, on Wednesday.
"Right now, what we're looking to accomplish is just a basic stabilization of the situation. The international stabilization force is starting to be constructed," said the senior US adviser.
Among the countries the US is speaking to about contributing to the force are Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Azerbaijan, said a second senior US adviser, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
One of the advisers said that no one would force any Gazans to leave the enclave.
"What we've said very clearly is that aid is going in, but no rebuilding money will go into areas that Hamas controls," the first adviser said. "We're looking at starting to rebuild in areas that right now are Hamas-free, terror-free zones."
US involvement in Hamas disarmament
The US military will not be needed to disarm Hamas, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
However, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the US would support Israel in disarmament efforts.
A US official told The Jerusalem Post on Friday that roughly 200 US troops would be sent to Israel to establish a coordination center and facilitate the implementation of the Gaza deal.
The official said that no US soldiers would be on the ground in Gaza. “Personnel will be monitoring developments, and aircraft may operate over the Strip to provide situational awareness," the source said, "but no American boots will enter Gaza.”
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.