U.S. officials went to Israel this week, as the cease-fire in Gaza is just barely holding. The presence of U.S. officials indicates the commitment of the U.S. to maintaining peace in the Middle East while still having good relations with Israel, even if there is tension between the allies.
During the visit, the U.S. and Israel also launched the new Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel. The intention of the coordination center is to help monitor the ceasefire agreement to ensure that the flow of humanitarian assistance reaches the civilians of Gaza. U.S. officials said the coordination center will be made up of U.S., Israeli, and international components, but U.S. forces will not be going to Gaza, according to reports.
However, U.S. diplomats are also working on plans for an international peacekeeping force that may be able to help control Gaza once there is more stability within the cease-fire agreement. The peacekeeping force will include countries from the Middle East and other international bodies. But clashes between the two factions are still occurring, even with air strikes, which indicates instability within the cease-fire agreement.
Relations with Israel have also been tense due to a recent U.S. report, which alleged Israeli forces were committing human rights violations in the Gaza War. This recent report has reignited debate about the extent of U.S. support over Israeli military activity. Adding to the existing tension between the countries, Israel has suspended a planned $35 billion agreement with the Egyptian government, leading U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to cancel his scheduled visit to Israel.
For the U.S., the dilemma is how to maintain its long-standing friendship with Israel in response to the international outcry about the loss of human life. What will follow, from peacekeeping to the reconstructions in Gaza, will help define how the future of cooperation between the two countries will be realized. Although the U.S. is still one of Israel’s biggest allies, the friendship is also facing the challenges of post-war realities. The coming months will reveal whether the alliance will be able to maintain its strength, or if the peace in Gaza will shatter.
