Who will control post-peace Gaza? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear on Sunday that Israel will be the one to decide. Days after a Donald Trump-brokered truce, Netanyahu insisted Israel would have veto power over which nations contribute troops to a planned international force.
“We have made it clear regarding international forces that Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us,” the premier said. This assertion comes as Hamas, which still governs Gaza, continues to refuse to disarm.
Netanyahu has already signaled opposition to Turkish involvement, following sharp criticism from President Erdogan during the war. The US, which will not send its own troops, supports Israel’s condition. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the force must be made of “countries that Israel’s comfortable with.”
Rubio also emphasized that Hamas must be excluded from any future governance, a key demand for Israel and its partners. Discussions are reportedly underway in Qatar to authorize this multinational force, possibly via a UN resolution.
The truce remains fragile. An Israeli strike on the Nuseirat camp, which Israel said targeted militants, was called a “clear violation” by Hamas. Additionally, the exchange of remains is slow, prompting a warning from Trump for Hamas to speed up the return of Israeli bodies.