Tel Aviv Considers Excluding British Officials from Gaza Center
Against the backdrop of British criticism of Israeli violations in the West Bank, Israel has begun considering the possibility of excluding British officials, and possibly representatives of other European countries, from the U.S.-led international coordination center dedicated to the Gaza Strip during the post-war phase.
Informed sources revealed that the Israeli government had discussed in recent weeks the possibility of removing the United Kingdom from the international support center for Gaza, a facility established to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire brokered by the United States between Israel and Hamas. The Financial Times reported this information on Thursday, amid escalating tensions between Tel Aviv and several of its European allies.
The center plays a role in coordinating international efforts related to the Gaza Strip and monitoring developments concerning the truce and the flow of humanitarian aid as part of arrangements for the post-war period.
Dispute Over Who Has Authority to Decide on Exclusions
According to two people familiar with the matter, excluding additional international representatives from the center could require the approval of the U.S.-led “Board of Peace,” an international body established by U.S. President Donald Trump this year to oversee the transitional phase and reconstruction of Gaza after the war, including activities related to the coordination center.
However, a third source questioned whether approval from the board would actually be necessary, arguing that Israel retains full sovereignty over determining who is permitted to enter and remain within its territory.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the “Board of Peace” said the council continues to communicate with the Israeli side in an effort to maintain and strengthen multilateral coordination, as well as accelerate implementation of the comprehensive peace strategy proposed by the U.S. president for Gaza.
In Rome, an Italian government official ruled out the possibility of Italy and Germany being removed from the international Gaza support center, suggesting that any potential measures are currently focused on Britain amid growing tensions between London and Tel Aviv.
Britain Appears Unconcerned About Possible Exclusion
Despite reports that British officials could be excluded, officials in London have not appeared particularly concerned about the possibility. One person familiar with the situation said Israel had previously taken measures against Spain and the Netherlands, making a response to Britain’s tougher stance foreseeable under the current circumstances.
The possibility of excluding additional European officials comes at a time when relations between Israel and several of its traditional European allies have deteriorated significantly over the war in Gaza, increasing settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, and the settlement expansion pursued by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which most of the international community considers contrary to international law.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had recently moved to adopt a tougher stance toward Israel, announcing last month that he intended to pressure the Israeli government by considering a ban on trade in goods originating from settlements.
Britain, Germany, and Italy also joined around 20 other countries and the European Commission in issuing a joint statement last week, expressing strong criticism of Israel’s plan to invite bids for the construction of the E-1 settlement project near Jerusalem. Analysts warned that implementing the project could divide the West Bank and undermine prospects for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the future.
Coordination Center for Monitoring the Situation in Gaza
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said his country would not stand by while what he described as the destruction of the two-state solution continued. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded by urging London not to lecture the Jewish people about where they can live within what he described as their historic homeland.
The international coordination center is located inside a large three-story warehouse in the industrial area of Kiryat Gat. It contains rooms dedicated to coordination and meetings, as well as modern equipment used to monitor the flow of humanitarian aid and developments across the Gaza Strip, making it a key point of contact between the international parties involved in the territory’s next phase.
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Author: Consultant Faisal Al-Mutairi
Publication Date: August 27, 2026
Last Updated: August 2026
