Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would have the final say on the participation of foreign forces in a proposed international force in Gaza aimed at maintaining a delicate ceasefire as part of President Donald Trump’s plan. The willingness of Arab and other nations to contribute troops remains uncertain, influenced in part by Hamas militants’ refusal to disarm as per the plan, along with Israel’s reservations about the composition of the force.
While the U.S. has ruled out deploying its own troops to Gaza, discussions have been ongoing with countries such as Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to potentially contribute to the multinational force. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s authority over its security and decision-making regarding unacceptable foreign forces, a stance supported by senior U.S. officials.
Netanyahu had previously hinted at opposition to Turkish security forces’ involvement in Gaza due to strained Turkish-Israeli relations amid conflict in Gaza. Israel had imposed a blockade on Gaza for two years during its military operations against Hamas following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian militant group in 2023, maintaining control over access to the region.
Hamas has broadened its search for the remains of hostages in Gaza, with Egypt providing assistance in the retrieval efforts. The ceasefire terms brokered by the U.S. require Hamas to promptly return Israeli hostages’ remains, with Israel reciprocating by returning Palestinian bodies. The process has seen some progress with the return of hostages’ remains, but challenges remain due to the extensive destruction in Gaza.
Further steps under the ceasefire plan involve disarming Hamas and addressing postwar governance issues in Gaza, including humanitarian aid access. International media access to Gaza remains restricted, and Hamas continues efforts to locate the remaining hostages’ bodies. The U.S. has urged Hamas to expedite the return of the bodies, warning of close monitoring to ensure compliance within 48 hours.
Allegations of ceasefire violations arose after Israeli strikes in Gaza, with Netanyahu defending the military’s actions against alleged militants. Hamas condemned the strikes as violations, accusing Netanyahu of undermining U.S. peace efforts. Israel maintains its commitment to security control and has previously targeted Gaza in response to security threats.
The situation in Gaza remains fragile, with ongoing efforts to stabilize the ceasefire and address humanitarian challenges. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s security autonomy, dispelling speculation of external influence on its response strategies. Recent military actions in Gaza have escalated tensions, highlighting the complexities of maintaining peace in the region.
