Journalism of Courage
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will decide which foreign troops can take part in an international force planned for Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s proposal to secure an end to the war.
The United States has ruled out sending its own soldiers, but the force could include personnel from Egypt, Indonesia and Gulf Arab states. It remains unclear which countries would be willing to join.
Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel would keep control of its security, “Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us, and this is how we operate and will continue to operate.”
He added, that this approach is backed by Washington: “This is, of course, acceptable to the United States as well.”
Israel continues to control access to Gaza after its offensive following Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack.
Netanyahu has signalled he opposes any role for Turkish forces in Gaza. Relations between the two governments have soured during the conflict, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticising Israel’s military actions in the territory.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the mission must involve, “countries that Israel’s comfortable with”.
However, as per Reuters reports he did not comment specifically on Turkey. He said details of Gaza’s governance still need to be discussed and that Hamas cannot be part of any future administration.
Rubio said US officials are working on ideas for a UN resolution or other agreement to approve the mission, with more talks set to take place in Qatar.
The Trump administration wants Arab states to provide funding and troops. A major obstacle is that Hamas has not agreed to disarm. Since a ceasefire began two weeks ago under Trump’s 20-point plan, Hamas has cracked down on groups challenging its rule, Reuters reported.
Netanyahu said Israel acts as an independent country and dismissed suggestions that Washington controls its decisions: Israel and the United States are a “partnership”, he said.
