Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would have the final say on which foreign forces would be permitted to join an international force in Gaza aimed at maintaining a fragile ceasefire outlined in U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan. The participation of Arab and other nations in providing troops remains uncertain due to the reluctance of Palestinian Hamas militants to disarm as required by the plan, and Israel has expressed reservations about the composition of the force.
While the Trump administration has ruled out deploying U.S. soldiers in Gaza, discussions have been held with countries such as Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to potentially contribute troops to the multinational force. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s autonomy in security matters, asserting that Israel will decide which foreign forces are unacceptable. He noted that this approach aligns with the views of senior U.S. officials.
Netanyahu previously hinted at opposition to the involvement of Turkish security forces in Gaza, as relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated during the Gaza conflict. Israel, which imposed a blockade on Gaza to support its military operations against Hamas following a cross-border attack by the militant group in October 2023, maintains control over access to the territory.
Hamas has expanded its search for the remains of hostages in Gaza, with Egypt providing assistance in the recovery efforts. Under the ceasefire brokered by the U.S., Hamas is expected to return Israeli hostages’ remains promptly, while Israel has agreed to repatriate Palestinian bodies in a ratio of 15 to 1.
As part of post-ceasefire arrangements, challenges lie ahead, including Hamas disarmament and governance in Gaza post-conflict. The United Nations continues to urge Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Media access to Gaza remains restricted, with only limited visits permitted by Israel’s military.
Following Israeli strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, Netanyahu defended the military’s actions, citing the targeting of militants allegedly planning attacks. Hamas denounced the strike as a violation of the ceasefire, accusing Netanyahu of undermining U.S. peace efforts. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s sovereignty over its security decisions and refuted claims of external dictation.
Israel’s military actions in Nuseirat, including previous strikes, have raised tensions, with casualties reported on both sides. The conflict has resulted in substantial Palestinian casualties, with conflicting figures between Gaza’s Health Ministry and Israel.
