Plans for post-war Gaza are being considered by the Biden administration with early reports suggesting some early talks regarding funding for a multinational peacekeeping force for the region.

Biden administration officials are in preliminary “conversations” about options to stabilize post-war Gaza, including a proposal for the Pentagon to help fund either a multinational force or a Palestinian peacekeeping force.

Notably, the US Pentagon’s plans currently do not involve US troops, according to Defense Department officials cited by Politico.

Instead, MoD funding will go towards the needs of the security forces and complement aid from other countries.

Reached for comment, a senior government official said that “we are working with partners on various scenarios for the interim governance and security in Gaza as soon as the crisis subsides”, refusing, however, to give details. “We’ve had a lot of conversations with both the Israelis and our partners about key elements for the next day in Gaza, when the time is right.”

It could be weeks or months before Washington and its partners approve any plan, especially since regional states are demanding a commitment to a two-state solution before seriously considering other options. There are also questions about the viability of early training of a possible Palestinian-led force to maintain order in Gaza, which has been decimated after five months of brutal fighting.

And Israel is reluctant to hold these talks until it defeats Hamas militarily and secures the release of hostages held by the group. Some Israeli government officials have called for Israel to bring Gaza under its control after the war, a proposal the US opposes.

The talks involve the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and their foreign counterparts about what a potential security force would look like the next day, the four officials confirmed.

According to the initial plans being drawn up, the US Department of Defense will provide funding for some sort of security force which will not include US troops on the ground in Gaza. One of the officials added that the aid could be used for reconstruction, infrastructure, humanitarian aid and other needs. The enclave is devastated and the vast majority of its 2.2 million residents are displaced with limited access to food, water and medicine.