
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States and other countries are analyzing various alternatives regarding the future of the Gaza Strip if the Hamas militants leave the government.
Blinken told a Senate committee that the 'status quo' could not continue for the densely populated enclave ruled by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and that Israel did not want to control it either.
"Between these two positions are "several possible alternatives that we are looking closely at now, and so are other countries," said Blinken.
Blinken said what would make the most sense in the future would be an "effective and revitalized Palestinian Authority" to govern Gaza, but the question remains whether that can be achieved.
"On the contrary, there may be other temporary agreements that require the involvement of other countries in the region. It could include international agencies that would help with security issues and governance," said Blinken.