European Union envoy Marc Otte said Wednesday that there is an increasing interest in the creation of an international force to be stationed in Gaza, according to the Jerusalem Post. There is “definitely more interest than in the past” from both Israeli officials and the Palestinian Authority, Otte said.
Otte pointed out that an international force was present in southern Lebanon, saying the Lebanon force had caused both Israel and the PA to “see the merit” in stationing a similar force in Gaza. The force could be created quickly if Israel and the PA were to agree on the issue, he said. Hamas has threatened to fight any foreign force stationed in Gaza, saying the force would be seen as an occupier.