American veterans on ground: Gaza checkpoint tensions rise

A private American company is hiring US special forces veterans to operate a checkpoint in the Gaza Strip. These actions are taking place during the truce between Israel and Hamas, as reported by "The Guardian." Ultimately, the checkpoint is to be staffed by around 100 former military personnel.

The presence of armed American commandos in one of the world's most volatile conflict zones is unprecedented. "The Guardian" emphasises that such deployment of veterans poses a risk of drawing the USA into direct combat. Some of the checkpoint staff are already on the ground.

The employment of veterans by a private company as part of post-war peacekeeping forces in the Gaza Strip was proposed by the United Arab Emirates. According to "The Guardian," the veterans will operate a checkpoint in a key location in the Strip. They will be armed, and regulations define the situations in which they can open fire. - We have the right to defend ourselves – one of them told the portal.

The main task of the company employing American veterans is to manage vehicle control. At the start of the week, Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sharen Haskel stated that Israel demanded cooperation with a private company, working with "an Egyptian security company or forces," to maintain security and enable the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian official closely involved in the negotiations leading to the truce said that American commandos will be present at the checkpoint at the intersection of the Netzarim corridor. This location almost divides the Strip into northern and southern parts, with the Salah al-Din route available for Palestinians to move from the north to the south of the Strip. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office declined to comment, and the US State Department, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Hamas did not respond to requests for comment.