Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would have the final say on which foreign forces would be permitted to be part of an international force in Gaza, intended to help maintain a delicate ceasefire outlined in U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative. The participation of Arab and other nations in committing troops is uncertain due to Palestinian Hamas militants’ reluctance to disarm as mandated by the plan, while Israel has expressed reservations about the composition of the force.
While the U.S. government has ruled out deploying American soldiers to Gaza, discussions have been ongoing with countries such as Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to contribute to the multinational force. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s authority over its security and its prerogative to determine which foreign forces are unacceptable, a stance he reiterated during a cabinet meeting, highlighting that this approach is endorsed by the United States.
Last week, Netanyahu hinted at his opposition to the involvement of Turkish security forces in Gaza, reflecting the strained relations between Turkey and Israel following the Gaza conflict. Israel, which enforced a blockade on Gaza for two years during its military operations against Hamas, retains control over all access to the region.
In a separate development, Hamas announced an expanded search operation for the remains of hostages in Gaza, with Egypt dispatching a team and heavy equipment to aid in the recovery efforts. As per the ceasefire brokered by the U.S., Hamas is expected to promptly return Israeli hostages’ remains, with Israel agreeing to repatriate bodies of Palestinians in return. The search for hostages’ remains is ongoing, with both sides facing challenges in the process.
Looking ahead, the implementation of the ceasefire plan involves complex steps, including the disarmament of Hamas and the governance of Gaza post-conflict. Calls persist for increased humanitarian aid access to the famine-stricken region. Media access to Gaza remains restricted, with only limited visits permitted under Israeli military supervision.
Hamas has reported progress in their search efforts for remaining hostages’ bodies, as they continue to work towards fulfilling the terms of the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, President Trump has urged Hamas to expedite the return of bodies, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Allegations of ceasefire violations arose after Israeli strikes targeted the central Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, sparking tensions between Hamas and Israeli forces. Netanyahu defended the military’s actions, claiming they preempted an attack by militants associated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. However, Hamas deemed the strike a violation of the ceasefire, accusing Netanyahu of undermining efforts to end the conflict.
Israel’s military actions in Gaza have faced scrutiny, with previous incidents raising concerns over civilian casualties and escalating tensions. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with conflicting reports on the total number of casualties.