The Israeli newspaper Maariv has revealed what it describes as a “new control plan” for the Gaza Strip — one led by the United States through the establishment of an international coordination centre that reportedly includes more than 40 countries. The initiative aims to manage aid operations and maintain the fragile ceasefire, signaling a significant shift in the post-war governance of Gaza.
According to the report, Washington is spearheading efforts to form a multinational stabilization force, while Israel expresses growing concern that such an arrangement may limit its freedom of military action inside the enclave. The Maariv article notes that this international initiative is “expanding its scope regarding Gaza,” reflecting an evolving framework that merges humanitarian management with political oversight.
A U.S.-Led Coordination Centre
Citing informed sources, Maariv reported that American forces are directly involved in the logistics of aid distribution, working in coordination with Israeli security officials. The coordination centre’s mission extends beyond humanitarian relief — it also includes preventing clashes between actors on the ground and monitoring compliance with the ceasefire terms.
Operationally, the report explains, U.S. regional forces are being integrated into a joint command-and-control system with the Israeli army, though Israel retains the authority over “security inspections and the detection of explosives.” In practice, this means that the occupation’s military will continue to hold veto power over field operations, even as the appearance of international cooperation grows.
From Humanitarian Relief to Managed Control
Maariv described the new centre as representing a paradigm shift in the international community’s approach to Gaza — from temporary humanitarian aid to a model of sustained administrative involvement. Although Israel maintains “security privileges,” some practical control is being transferred to foreign actors, effectively institutionalizing a shared management system under U.S. supervision.
The operational instructions for aid convoys now pass through a joint operations room, where resource allocation is coordinated according to assessed civilian needs and field capacity. Early patterns suggest a gradual rise in the volume of shipments, though deliveries remain far below the targets set in the ceasefire framework.
A Prospective Multinational Force in Gaza
Alongside the humanitarian mechanism, discussions are underway to form a multinational stabilization force to operate in Gaza following a comprehensive ceasefire. The envisioned force would secure border crossings, prevent smuggling, dismantle armed infrastructure, and assist in rebuilding local systems and governance structures.
Several countries have reportedly expressed preliminary willingness to participate, but only under strict security guarantees ensuring the safety of their personnel and the clarity of mission mandates. Some states have declared that they will not deploy troops until full peace and cessation of hostilities are ensured, underscoring how closely political progress is tied to the feasibility of such a force.
Israeli Concerns over “Reduced Freedom”
According to Maariv, Israel’s security establishment and political elite are closely monitoring these developments. Senior Israeli officials have privately warned that growing foreign involvement could undermine Israel’s operational autonomy, particularly if the international mechanism expands to include security domains traditionally monopolized by the occupation army.
An unnamed senior Israeli official told the paper:
“We are witnessing an external management process of the Strip. The challenge lies in maintaining control and security without obstructing humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.”
Officially, Israel claims to support international cooperation for Gaza’s recovery — but only so long as its freedom of movement and security control remain untouched.
Balancing Power and Influence
The emerging multinational structure raises fundamental questions about power balance and the nature of post-war governance in Gaza. Internal discussions in Tel Aviv now centre on designing a framework that guarantees any future stabilization force operates in close coordination with Israel and Egypt, while preserving existing security and intelligence mechanisms.
This configuration effectively reinforces Israel’s continued dominance behind the facade of international partnership. While the United States may lead the visible structure, the substance of control remains anchored in Israeli security interests, a reality that prolongs the occupation’s influence under a more palatable diplomatic guise.
Between Occupation and Oversight
This so-called “new control plan” marks not an end to Israeli dominance, but a rebranding of it through internationalization. The United States assumes a leadership role, not to liberate Gaza, but to manage its reconstruction within boundaries that sustain Israeli interests and Western geopolitical calculations.
Behind the language of “coordination” and “stabilization” lies an enduring truth: Gaza remains a territory under siege and surveillance, where the humanitarian corridors are conditioned by political agendas.
What Maariv calls a “plan of control” is, in essence, an attempt to re-engineer occupation into administration — transforming the blockade’s military structure into a bureaucratic one, led by Washington but still shaped by Tel Aviv.
