‘Israel’ considers expelling British officials from Gaza coordination center

‘Israel’ is considering expelling British officials, and possibly others from Europe, from a US-led coordination center overseeing post-war Gaza arrangements, according to a Financial Times report.

The ‘Israeli’ government has in recent weeks discussed removing the UK from the International Gaza Support Center (also referred to as the International Support Centre for Gaza), the multinational headquarters set up to monitor the US-brokered ceasefire between ‘Israel’ and Hamas.

The center, located in Kiryat Gat in southern ‘Israel’ and previously known as the Civil-Military Coordination Center, coordinates efforts on the ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and post-war stabilization and reconstruction.

The discussions come amid strained relations and follow ‘Israel’s’ recent expulsion of Dutch officials from the same center.

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Dutch representatives would be removed immediately from the facility and given one week to leave ‘Israel’.

The decision, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responded to what Sa’ar described as a series of anti-‘Israel’ measures by the Dutch government, including a ban on the import, sale, and purchase of goods produced in ‘Israeli’ settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights (set to take effect in September).

“Our message is clear: Those who act against Israel will have no foothold in the region. Israel will not allow measures to be taken against it without a response,” Sa’ar said.

Britain has been preparing its own tougher measures over ‘Israeli’ settlement activity.

UK officials have summoned ‘Israel’s’ chargé d’affaires and criticized plans for major West Bank settlement expansion, including the E1 project, which London says endangers a two-state solution.

Reports indicate the government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham is weighing a ban on trade with settlements and additional sanctions targeting those involved in expansion, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband signaling a comprehensive set of measures.

This potential move against British officials would fit a pattern of ‘Israeli’ responses to European criticism.

In April, Netanyahu ordered the expulsion of Spanish representatives from the coordination center after Spain’s repeated criticism of ‘Israeli’ actions, stating that countries attacking ‘Israel’ rather than “terrorist regimes” would not be partners in shaping the region’s future.

The International Gaza Support Center was established as part of the US-brokered ceasefire framework to bring together representatives from multiple countries for monitoring and coordination.

British planning officers were earlier deployed to contribute to the multinational effort, with the UK describing its role as supporting the ceasefire process without leading combat or entering Gaza.