JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would decide which foreign forces could be deployed in the Gaza Strip as part of a proposed international mission aimed at securing a lasting end to the conflict under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Netanyahu’s remarks underscored Israel’s insistence on maintaining control over its security decisions, even as Washington and regional partners move to craft a multinational stabilization force for Gaza. “Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us, and this is how we operate and will continue to operate,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet, stressing that the position had been agreed upon with the United States.
While the Trump administration has ruled out deploying U.S. soldiers, officials have suggested the force could include troops from Egypt, Indonesia, and Gulf Arab nations. However, questions remain about which states would be willing to contribute and how such a deployment would be structured.
The comments come amid ongoing discussions on Gaza’s post-war governance, following a fragile ceasefire that has held for two weeks as part of Trump’s 20-point peace framework. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s independence in security matters, saying that “the American administration does not dictate Israel’s policy,” while describing Washington as “a partnership.”Israel launched a two-year siege and subsequent air and ground offensive against Hamas after the militant group’s cross-border assault on Oct 7, 2023. The campaign has left Gaza devastated and prompted international calls for a sustainable political settlement.
The question of foreign troop participation remains contentious. Netanyahu last week signalled opposition to any involvement by Turkish forces, with diplomatic ties between Ankara and Jerusalem severely strained. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza, accusing it of disproportionate aggression.
During a recent visit to Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the composition of the security force must include “countries that Israel’s comfortable with,” but he declined to address Turkey’s potential role. Rubio added that Washington was consulting allies on a UN-backed resolution to authorise the force and would continue talks in Qatar on Oct 26.
The Trump administration has encouraged Arab states to contribute both funds and troops. Yet uncertainty persists amid reports of renewed violence in Gaza, where Hamas has allegedly cracked down on rival groups challenging its authority since the ceasefire began.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Netanyahu’s statements suggest any path forward for Gaza’s stabilization will hinge on Israel’s firm veto power over the composition and mandate of the planned multinational force.