For years, Israel’s greatest fear was that the conflict with the Palestinians would become international. That has now happened — quietly, over the past month, under the cover of the ceasefire and the Trump Plan, right under everyone’s noses in Kiryat Gat. Since the new U.S.-led command center began operating there, it has drawn not only American troops but also soldiers from countries that were among Israel’s harshest critics during the war.
At the small American base, troops from France and Spain — two Western nations long known for their criticism of Israel — are now stationed. In response to claims that this represents a turning point, with Israel becoming a client state whose “new capital” is Kiryat Gat, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists it is simply a joint command run with the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured the site alongside IDF Maj. Gen. Yaki Dolf, Israel’s representative to the command and head of the Northern Corps. For anyone who saw the visit, the picture was clear: there is only one flag flying above the hangar, and it is not Israel’s. The Americans are in charge. Alongside Israeli soldiers, many of them reservists, the base now hosts what one officer jokingly called “half the world’s armies” — troops from Germany, France, Australia, Greece, Britain, Jordan, the UAE and others. Representatives of civilian aid groups and the International Committee of the Red Cross are also present. (Read More)
