US Security Firms: The New Gatekeepers of Gaza's Starvation
📰 THE STORY: An Israeli government official is reportedly pushing for US security firms to operate the 'Palestinian side' of the vital Rafah border crossing, a move framed as a way to circumvent Hamas control and improve aid flow, while maintaining effective Israeli oversight of Gaza’s access to the world. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Rafah crossing has been a
chokehold on Gaza for decades. Following the 2005 Israeli disengagement, the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) was deployed to monitor the crossing under an agreement that still effectively gave Israel control over passenger and goods movement. This previous international presence did not alleviate the blockade. Now, Israel is using the current genocide as an opportunity to secure
complete, internationally-sanctioned control. This also echoes the 1990s and early 2000s, when private contractors like DynCorp and Blackwater (now Academi) were heavily utilized by the US in post-conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, often operating with little oversight and significant human rights abuses. This is simply extending that model to Gaza. Double Standard: Western media would
erupt in outrage if, say, Russia proposed a Chinese private security firm manage a 'humanitarian' crossing in Ukraine, ensuring Russian oversight while claiming to 'depoliticize' aid. It would instantly be recognized as a cynical extension of belligerent power. Yet, when Israel — receiving billions in US aid and military support — proposes the same for Gaza, it's presented as a 'pragmatic