Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it very clear that he has a definitive line on the role of international peacekeeping troops in Gaza. In his latest statement on the matter, Netanyahu reiterated that it is an unequivocal Israeli right to determine whether or not representatives of foreign militaries get to join the global peacekeeping efforts and help uphold the existing ceasefire agreement.
Israel holds veto power within the international Gaza peacekeeping forces
In a clear statement of Israel’s security policy from his cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that “Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us” regarding an international force that could be stationed in Gaza. This statement emerges at a time when the US Government of President Donald Trump is working to gain global support for an international peace force. These states include Egypt, Indonesia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.
The Israeli leader emphasized that such a strategy has been endorsed by top-level U.S. representatives, including an indication of coordination on force strength. Nevertheless, much uncertainty hangs over the commitment of troops from Arab states in consideration of Hamas’s failure to disarm as demanded within the framework of the proposed peace agreement. The Israeli emphasis on approval power stems from overall apprehension relating to the commitment levels of prospective peacekeeping forces.
The US Peace Plan is experiencing resistance from various parties
The ambitious peace plan by the Trump administration is encountering increasing pressure from all sides. Netanyahu declared that Israel “will decide which foreign troops it wants to have in Gaza as part of a ceasefire mission.” Clearly, there’s a complex consideration to balance on the existing scheme of handling Israeli security concerns and Palestinian administrative requirements. Secretary of State Rubio made it clear on his visit to Israel that the international troops should include “countries that Israel’s comfortable with.” That’s an implied veto power by Jerusalem.
Hamas’s continued refusal to disarm represents perhaps the most significant obstacle to successful implementation. Since the ceasefire began two weeks ago, the militant organization has violently suppressed rival Palestinian factions challenging its authority, demonstrating its unwillingness to relinquish control. This resistance undermines the fundamental premise of the peace plan, which envisions Hamas’s gradual marginalization in favor of alternative governance structures. Netanyahu stated:
“We control our security and we have also made it clear as far as the international forces that it’s Israel that determines which of these forces we do not want to work with, and that’s how it’s been and that’s how it’ll remain.”
Arab states hesitate amid uncertain Gaza governance prospects
The area powers hesitate to spend military resources on Gaza peacekeeping missions. The Trump administration needs the Arab financial and military contributions to ensure an internationally viable force. But these states are weighing the risks against the possibility of failure. Although Egypt has been an important intermediary in the Gaza peace agreements in the past, it has internal pressures against an increased role in Palestinian politics.
These challenges include:
- Hamas’s refusal to disarm and relinquish control
- Israeli demands on security guarantees and approval of force composition
- Arab states’ reluctance to commit troops without clear governance outcomes
- Thirteen dead hostages remain unaccounted for in the Gaza rubble
The Israeli dominance over the composition of the international force remains an aspect of the underlying tensions within the framework of the Trump peace deal. Although the ceasefire agreement seems to work at the moment, there remain discrepancies on issues of governance and international engagement that may jeopardize the long-term stability of the peace agreement. The challenge of any peace force deployed to stabilize the Gaza Strip may lie in finding a balance that accommodates Israeli security needs and Palestinian aspirations.