Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel would have the authority to choose the foreign forces permitted to be part of an upcoming international force in Gaza to support a delicate ceasefire outlined in President Donald Trump’s proposal. It is uncertain if Arab and other nations will commit troops, mainly due to the reluctance of Palestinian Hamas militants to disarm as required by the plan, while Israel has expressed reservations about the composition of the force.
Although the U.S. government has excluded the deployment of American soldiers in Gaza, it has engaged in discussions with Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to contribute to the multinational force. Netanyahu asserted, “We are responsible for our security and have clearly indicated that Israel will have the final say on which forces are unacceptable to us, and this is our standard practice.” He emphasized that this stance is endorsed by senior U.S. officials.
Last week, Netanyahu implied his opposition to any involvement of Turkish security forces in Gaza, as Turkey’s relations with Israel deteriorated significantly during the Gaza conflict. Israel, following its military operations against Hamas in Gaza after the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023, has maintained control over all access points to the region.
Hamas has broadened its search for the remains of hostages in Gaza, with Egypt sending a team of experts and heavy equipment to assist in the recovery efforts. The ceasefire brokered by the U.S. mandates that Hamas promptly return the bodies of Israeli captives, with Israel agreeing to repatriate 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli body returned.
As part of the ceasefire plan, more complex steps lie ahead, including disarming Hamas and establishing post-war governance in Gaza, where humanitarian aid access remains a critical concern. International media access to Gaza is restricted, and Israel confirmed that the situation has not changed. Hamas’s Gaza leader, Khalil al-Hayya, announced that the group has expanded its search efforts for the remaining hostages’ bodies.
President Trump has warned that he is closely monitoring Hamas’s compliance with returning bodies within 48 hours. Hamas cites challenges due to extensive destruction in their efforts to retrieve the remains. An Egyptian team, equipped with machinery, entered Gaza to support ceasefire efforts, as reported by Egyptian officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
Netanyahu defended Israeli military actions following strikes in Gaza, which Hamas deemed a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu refuted accusations of undermining U.S. peace efforts and reiterated Israel’s right to protect its security interests. Israel previously targeted Nuseirat in response to alleged Hamas militant actions, resulting in casualties.
Throughout the conflict, casualties have been reported on both sides, with conflicting figures on the exact toll. Gaza’s Health Ministry claims over 68,500 Palestinian deaths in the two-year conflict, a figure disputed by Israel.