Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would have the final say on which foreign forces would be allowed to participate in an upcoming international force in Gaza aimed at maintaining a delicate ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The participation of Arab and other nations in committing troops remains uncertain due to the refusal of Palestinian Hamas militants to disarm as stipulated in the plan. Israel has expressed reservations about the composition of the force.
While the U.S. has excluded the deployment of American soldiers in Gaza, it has engaged in discussions with countries such as Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to contribute to the multinational force. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s control over its security and the authority to determine unacceptable forces, reiterating the stance during a cabinet meeting, which he stated was also supported by the United States.
Netanyahu recently indicated opposition to the involvement of Turkish security forces in Gaza, as relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated significantly during the Gaza conflict. Israel has maintained control over Gaza’s access following a prolonged siege to support its military operations against Hamas after the group’s attack on October 7, 2023.
Hamas announced an extension of its search for the remains of hostages in Gaza, with Egypt sending a team of experts and heavy equipment for assistance as part of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas is expected to promptly return the Israeli hostages’ bodies, with Israel reciprocating by returning bodies of Palestinians. The search efforts have garnered attention as onlookers observed Egyptian teams excavating near severely damaged structures in Khan Younis.
As part of the ceasefire plan, more complex tasks lie ahead, including Hamas disarmament and post-war governance in Gaza, where humanitarian aid access remains a critical concern. Despite ongoing calls for increased humanitarian aid access by the United Nations and partners, international media access to Gaza remains restricted, according to Israeli authorities.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya disclosed that the group had initiated searches in new areas for the remaining hostages’ bodies. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump has emphasized close monitoring to ensure Hamas fulfills its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, urging prompt action on returning the bodies. Hamas has cited challenges due to extensive destruction in the region.
Tensions escalated after Israeli forces targeted the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, leading to accusations of ceasefire violations by Hamas. Netanyahu defended the military action, asserting that Israel takes preemptive measures against potential threats. Israel’s sovereignty over security matters was reiterated by Netanyahu amid speculations of U.S. influence on Israeli responses in Gaza, which Vice-President JD Vance has refuted.
Israel had previously carried out strikes in Nuseirat following allegations of Hamas militants killing two soldiers, resulting in a significant escalation of violence. The casualties reported in Gaza have been disputed by Israel, with conflicting figures on the total number of Palestinian fatalities during the war.