Asked about Netanyahu’s comments suggesting Israel would take responsibility for security in Gaza after the war, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said “generally speaking”, Washington does “not support a reoccupation of Gaza, and neither does Israel”.
“It’s important to note that at the same time we agree with Israel that there is no returning to the October 6 status quo,” Patel told reporters, referring to the day before Hamas’s attacks in southern Israel.
“Israel and the region must be secure, and Gaza can and should no longer be a base from which to launch terror attacks against the people of Israel or anyone else.
And so we’re working with partners on various scenarios – on interim governance, on security parameters, on security situations – in Gaza for once this crisis recedes.”