US planning divided Gaza with 'green zone' under international-Israeli control, reports The Guardian

The United States is working on a long-term plan that would divide Gaza into two zones — a "green zone" under Israeli and international military control where reconstruction would begin, and a "red zone" left in its current devastated state, according to US military planning documents obtained by The Guardian.

Under the proposal, foreign forces would initially deploy alongside Israeli troops in eastern Gaza, creating a controlled area separated by the existing Israeli-held "yellow line."

"It's going to take some time. It's not going to be easy," said a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledging the complexity and fluid nature of the planning.

Concerns over US commitment

The strategy raises questions about Washington's commitment to an enduring political settlement for Gaza with full Palestinian governance — a goal US President Donald Trump previously promised as part of a ceasefire transition.

The report comes amid weeks of shifting proposals, including the recently abandoned plan for "alternative safe communities" — fenced-in camps for displaced Palestinians — which had drawn strong criticism from humanitarian groups.

Aid agencies said Friday they had yet to be officially notified of the US decision to drop the ASC model.

Risk of a divided Gaza 'in limbo'

Without a viable peacekeeping plan, Israeli troop withdrawal, or major rebuilding efforts, Gaza risks falling into a prolonged state of uncertainty — "not war but not peace" — with recurring Israeli strikes, no Palestinian self-rule, and stalled reconstruction, mediators warned.

A central element of US strategy relies on an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), envisioned in Trump's 20-point peace outline. Washington hopes the UN Security Council will pass a resolution authorising the ISF early next week, after which troop commitments could be formalised.

However, Trump has ruled out deploying US forces on the ground or funding Gaza's reconstruction. "The US wants to set the vision and not pay for it," a diplomatic source was quoted as saying.

European troop plans dismissed as unrealistic

Centcom documents reportedly floated the idea of European forces — including up to 1,500 British infantry soldiers and 1,000 French troops — forming the ISF core. Planners also considered contributions from Germany, the Netherlands, Nordic nations, and Jordan.

Sources described these expectations as "delusional," with European leaders unlikely to deploy soldiers to Gaza after long, costly missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Only Italy has shown tentative willingness to contribute troops.

US officials now say the leaked figures contain "many inaccuracies," and that Gaza planning is evolving rapidly.

A restricted mission inside the 'green zone'

A restricted mission inside the "green zone" would define the scope of the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF), according to the draft plans.

Under the outline, ISF troops would be confined strictly to the designated green zone, beginning with a small deployment that would gradually expand to a full contingent of around 20,000 personnel.

The force would also be tasked with helping secure key crossings after integrating with Israeli troops stationed along the current line of control. Israeli forces, meanwhile, would only consider withdrawing once "conditions for international security" are achieved — a benchmark that remains undefined and without any specified timeline.

The western side of the yellow line, where Hamas is regaining control, would remain off-limits.

Reconstruction to lure civilians

US planners envision that rebuilding in the green zone could gradually draw Palestinians from the red zone, promoting a slow reunification of Gaza through development rather than military action.

But the approach has drawn comparisons to failed US policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, where "green zones" became isolated strongholds representing the limits of international intervention.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

More than 80% of Gaza's buildings, including nearly all hospitals and schools, have been destroyed or damaged.

Over 1.5 million Palestinians still await emergency shelter, while hundreds of thousands live in tents without clean water or basic services.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to severely restrict aid entry — including items like tent poles, which it labels "dual-use."

Nearly all 2 million Palestinians remain crowded into the "red zone," a coastal strip that covers less than half of Gaza's territory.

As planning continues to shift, analysts warn that the absence of a clear, unified strategy could trap Gaza in prolonged instability, with reconstruction, governance, and security all remaining unresolved.