from Simon Lewis (JO:), Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday outlined plans for the post-war governance of Gaza, saying the outgoing Biden administration would hand over a road map to President-elect Donald Trump’s team to take over if a ceasefire deal is reached.
Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington in his final days as top US diplomat, Blinken said Washington envisions a reformed Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza and is calling on international partners to help establish and lead an interim administration for the enclave.
The security forces would be made up of forces from partner countries and vetted Palestinian personnel, Blinken said during his speech, which was repeatedly interrupted by protesters who accused him of supporting Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel denies.
He made the remarks as negotiators met in Qatar hoping to finalize a plan to end the war in Gaza after 15 months of conflict that has upended the Middle East.
“For months, we have worked intensively with our partners to develop a detailed post-conflict plan that would allow Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza, prevent Hamas from returning, and ensure Gaza’s governance, security and reconstruction,” Blinken said.
Trump and his incoming team have not said whether they will implement the plan.
Blinken said a post-conflict plan and “a credible political horizon for the Palestinians” is needed to ensure that Hamas does not re-emerge.
The United States has repeatedly warned Israel that Hamas cannot be defeated by a military campaign alone, he said. “We estimate that Hamas has recruited almost as many new militants as it has lost. That is a recipe for permanent insurgency and perpetual war.”
PROTESTERS
Blinken’s remarks were interrupted three times by protesters, who repeated accusations that the Biden administration was complicit in crimes committed by Israel in the war.
Blinken denied that Israel’s actions amounted to genocide and said he was pushing Israel to do more to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel launched its attack after Hamas-led fighters stormed across its borders on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Israel’s air and ground campaign has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, drawing charges of genocide at the World Court by South Africa and war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.
The attack has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and raised concerns from the world’s main hunger monitor.
“You will forever be known as bloody Blinken, Secretary of Genocide,” shouted one protester before being led out of the event.
Blinken kept his cool, telling one joker: “I respect your views. Please allow me to share mine,” before continuing his remarks.
Blinken said U.S. officials had “heavily debated” the Biden administration’s response to the war, citing a series of resignations by officials in his State Department who criticized the policy of continuing to provide arms and diplomatic cover to Israel.
Others felt that Washington had prevented Israel from doing more damage to Iran and its proxies, he said.
“It’s crucial to ask questions like these, which will be studied for years to come,” he said. “I wish I could stand here today and tell you with certainty that we made every decision right. I can’t.”
