Israel Plans to Use an American Security Firm to Distribute Aid in Gaza

Military leaders voiced concerns to the Defense Minister about the potential for Israel to be implicated in another Sabra and Shatila-style massacre if security agents harm residents.

21st November 2024

2 minutes read

Israel Plans to Use an American Security Firm to Distribute Aid in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz met with top military officials to discuss the possibility of employing an American security company to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza, the Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Tuesday. This meeting coincided with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s surprise visit to the area, during which he offered a $5 million reward for the release of any hostage.

According to Israel Hayom, the Monday evening meeting focused on changing the method of distributing humanitarian aid to prevent it from falling into Hamas‘s hands.

During the discussion, a proposal was made to allow an unnamed American private security company to enter specific neighborhoods in Gaza to take over civilian responsibilities and distribute humanitarian aid, with the Israeli military providing security cover only.

The meeting included senior military officials such as Oded Basiuk, head of the Israeli army’s Operations Division; Eliezer Toledano, head of the Strategic Division; and others.

Senior army officials presented the plan’s advantages and disadvantages to the minister and raised several concerns.

Eliezer Toledano expressed fears of another Sabra and Shatila-like massacre. He warned that if the private company operating in Gaza neighborhoods harmed residents while the Israeli army was nearby, the international community would hold the Israeli army accountable.

The Sabra and Shatila massacre occurred in Palestinian refugee camps in West Beirut in 1982 during Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, resulting in 750 to 3,500 casualties, mostly Palestinians.

The Defense Minister dismissed these concerns, stating that comparing an American company to the factions responsible for the massacre was inappropriate.

Other military officials, including international law advisors, also expressed legal concerns about involving an American company. They warned that if Israel funded the company, it might be seen as an extension of the Israeli state under international law.

The newspaper added that Israel is now considering circumventing this issue by seeking foreign funding or international aid organization contributions to finance the company.

Israel continues to control the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis, particularly in the north of the territory. It also refuses to cooperate with UN and international organizations to deliver essential medicines and supplies.

During his visit to Gaza, Netanyahu stated that Hamas would no longer govern the territory after the war and that Israel had destroyed its military capabilities. He also offered a $5 million reward to anyone who freed a hostage.

In a video statement, Netanyahu declared, “We will track down and capture anyone who dares to harm our hostages. Those who bring us a hostage will be granted safe passage with their families. But we will recover them all, without exception.”