Israel and the US Plan Pilot Program in Gaza as US Deploys Troops to Israel Amid Genocide
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Israel and the United States are planning a joint ‘pilot program’ in Al-Atatra neighborhood of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, according to Israeli journalist Shlomi Eldar.
The program, which is seen as an attempt to occupy parts of Gaza by the Israeli and American armies, involving around 1,000 US mercenary, most of whom are former CIA operatives, aims to create a ‘security zone’ in the neighborhood. Residents will allegedly be allowed to return and rebuild their homes and public infrastructure under the supervision of an unnamed ‘local sheikh’, who will serve as a “council leader”, the Israeli journalist claimed.
The program, approved by the Israeli government, aims at reducing what Israel describes as Hamas’s civilian control in Gaza, and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is reportedly finalizing details with American company executives involved in the project.
If successful, this pilot could become the model for the Gaza Strip.
The Pentagon had announced last week that the United States is deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) to Israel, alongside 100 American troops to operate it. Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder stated that President Joe Biden ordered this deployment to support Israel and safeguard American settlers in the occupation state, particularly from ballistic missile threats by Iran.
The US military’s growing presence in Israel has sparked concerns. Harrison Mann, a former US Army major who resigned from the Defense Intelligence Agency over US support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, expressed criticism of the Biden administration’s policy. Mann warned that the deployment could serve as a “new mechanism to drag America into a war with Hezbollah and Iran,” pointing out that Israel’s reliance on US troops could function as “American human shields.”
Earlier this year, US forces constructed a maritime pier off the coast of Gaza, ostensibly to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, the pier was later used by Israeli and American special forces to launch an attack on Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians.
