Could private security contractors be the 'day after' solution in Gaza?
Share this @internewscast.com

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The issue of creating a “day after” strategy for the Gaza Strip has been a stumbling block in discussions involving Israel, the U.S., Arab countries, and Hamas for months, and it has ultimately resulted in Hamas refusing to free the 55 hostages still held there.

Nonetheless, foreign policy leaders and Washington-based security specialists might hold the key to overcoming this challenge and aiding in the recovery of the war-torn Gaza Strip: private security contractors (PSCs).

PSCs, with extensive experience in the Middle East and decades of valuable insights, could serve as non-state actors to establish stability and progress for the Palestinians. However, their efforts must begin with humanitarian aid, said John Hannah, a former national security advisor to Dick Cheney and a senior fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), in a statement to Fox News Digital.

gaza destruction

Palestinians continue their daily lives under harsh conditions amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza following the enforcement of a ceasefire agreement on Feb. 10, 2025. (Mahmoud ssa/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Though the reports of the level of chaos have reportedly been exaggerated by Hamas – which ultimately would benefit from the GHF’s failure as experts have explained – the group initially drew some criticism over transparency concerns, though the group has been looking to remedy this with regal updates.

The group, which saw its third leadership in as many weeks earlier this month, told Fox News Digital that despite some frustration among world leaders and aid groups, its goal is to work with major organizations like the United Nations and others to better distribute aid across Gaza where those programs are still flagging.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed last month that the GHF’s distribution centers would be protected by private security contractors.

Palestinians get aid

Palestinians in Gaza get aid from the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation)

Though while Washington backs the effort, State Department spokeperson Tammy Bruce has repeatedly made clear that the GHF is “an independent organization” that “does not receive U.S. government funding.” 

However, she has also refused to confirm whether any U.S. officials are working for the program. 

PSCs have a storied history in the Middle East, and not only the U.S. war on terror. They have been used by nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which could lend them a level of acceptance that would not be attainable by another force. 

The proposal issued by Hannah and his colleagues took the use of PSCs one step beyond humanitarian aid and argued they could make a positive impact in the actual reconstruction of the Gaza Strip – an idea that was also presented to the Trump administration this year. 

Gaza hungry

Displaced Palestinians wait to receive a free meal from a charity food distribution center in Gaza City, northern Gaza, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photographer: Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It’s not at all foreign to these Arab parties that you might employ PSCs for certain critical missions,” Hannah said. “Our idea was, let’s scale it up. Let’s unify the effort. Let’s have America and the Arabs lead it. 

“The Arabs would put in most of the humanitarian aid workers, a lot of the financing, and then they would hire some of these international PSCs with a lot of experience to come in and protect those operations,” he explained. “You’d have the Arabs engaged, which we thought was absolutely critical.”

The plan also included bringing in other international aid organizations that would work with these PSCs to expand developments like housing projects, community development and infrastructure repair to restore electricity and water.

“And eventually, hopefully, begin to identify new leadership, local leadership in Gaza, who would be prepared to cooperate with the operations of this nonprofit entity,” Hannah said. “Local Gazans of goodwill, who wanted to be rid of Hamas, who this entity could provide some support to, some protection to so they can, could begin rebuilding Gaza civil administration.”

Destoyed buildings

Destroyed buildings are pictured in the west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on Feb. 11, 2025 amid the current ceasefire deal in the war between Israel and Hamas. (BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images)

The plan also addressed the perpetual question of how to deter the next generation of Hamas terrroirsts, particularly amid Israeli military operations.

Hannah argued this issue could be addressed by simultaneously training a “non-Hamas new Palestinian, local Palestinian security force” that would not only have the trust of the local population but could also gain the trust of Israel.  

Hannah said he still believes this plan could be a tenable next step to securing the Gaza Strip but urged the Trump administration to take a more direct diplomatic role by leaning on Arab, European and Israeli partners to make it happen.

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about this reporting. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Dentist is convicted of murder, gets life sentence for lacing wife's protein shakes with poison

Dentist Sentenced to Life for Poisoning Wife’s Protein Shakes with Deadly Substance

A Colorado dentist received a life sentence on Wednesday for the murder…
Third suspect in brutal Cincinnati beatdown arrested, charged with assault

Third individual apprehended and charged in violent Cincinnati attack

A third individual has been taken into custody over a violent incident…
Code Red: The Left’s Latest Land Grab Is Bigger Than You Think

Urgent Alert: The Latest Land Acquisition by the Left Is More Extensive Than It Appears

They call it “revitalization.” But it’s not. It’s a coordinated land grab.…
NYC museum visitor, 34, jumps to his death at the Whitney

34-Year-Old Man Tragically Leaps to His Death at NYC’s Whitney Museum

A 34-year-old man jumped to his death from the Whitney Museum in…
345 Park Avenue NYC shooting: Off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam funeral to take place Thursday

Funeral for Off-Duty NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, Victim of 345 Park Avenue NYC Shooting, Scheduled for Thursday

NEW YORK — The memorial service for NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who…
Couple killed at Arkansas' Devil's Den State Park 'died heroes protecting their little girls,' family says

Arkansas Man Faces Capital Murder Charges for Killing Parents in Front of Daughters at Devil’s Den State Park

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety announced an arrest on Wednesday connected…
Emergency vehicles surrounding an airplane on an airport tarmac at night.

Delta Flight to Amsterdam Encounters Severe Turbulence; Emergency Landing Leaves 25 Injured

AT least 25 people were injured when a Delta Air Lines flight…
Trump shrugs off France’s recognition of Palestine as Rubio, prominent Republicans blast move

Macron Diverges from Trump on International Issues from Gaza to Greenland

From Gaza to Greenland, French President Emmanuel Macron appears to be taking…
Newlyweds' honeymoon trip ends in fiery crash that kills husband and baby daughter

Honeymoon Tragedy: Fiery Crash Claims Lives of Husband and Baby Daughter

A newlywed’s world was turned upside down when her husband and 1-year-old…
12-pack of High Noon Vodka Seltzer.

Alert for Celsius Drinkers: Vodka Contamination Prompts High Noon to Recall Cans – Check for Lid Clues

OFFICIALS had to issue a shocking recall after the alcoholic beverage High…
Jason Momoa shaves off beard for the first time in 6 years ahead of 'Dune' return: 'I hate it'

Jason Momoa Shaves Beard for First Time in 6 Years Before ‘Dune’ Comeback: ‘I Don’t Like It’

King clean-cut. “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa, 45, flaunted a clean-shaven look for…
Chicago severe weather: Residents should report any flash flooding from rain over last week

Chicago’s Intense Weather: Residents Urged to Report Flash Flooding from Recent Rainfall

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago residents are being asked to report any flooding…