Netanyahu Will Determine Foreign Troops To Be Allowed To Enter Gaza

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would determine which foreign forces would be allowed in as part of Gaza's planned international forces to help secure a ceasefire under US President Donald Trump's plan.

It remains unclear whether Arab countries and other countries will be ready to send their troops.

Israel previously voiced concerns about the troop composition.

Although the Trump administration has ruled out sending US troops to the Gaza Strip, they have spoken with Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to contribute to these multinational forces.

"We are in control of our security, and we have also emphasized on international forces that Israel will determine which forces we cannot accept, and here's how we operate and will continue to operate," Netanyahu said.

"This, of course, is also acceptable to the United States, as has been conveyed by its most senior representatives in recent days," he said at a cabinet meeting.

Israel, which surrounded Gaza for two years to support its air and land warfare in the enclave against Hamas after the cross-border attack of the Palestinian militant group on October 7, 2023, continued to control all access to the region.

Last week, Netanyahu signaled he would oppose any role for Turkish security forces in Gaza.

Turkey-Israeli relations that used to be warm have drastically deteriorated during the Gaza war, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemning Israel's devastating air and land military operations in the Palestinian region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a visit to Israel aimed at strengthening the ceasefire, said on Friday last week that international forces should consist of "states that make Israel comfortable". He did not comment on Turkey's involvement.

Rubio said Gaza's future governance still needs to be formulated with Israel and partner countries, but cannot include Hamas.

Rubio also said US officials received input on a possible UN resolution or international agreement to certify multinational forces in Gaza and would discuss the matter in Qatar, the main mediator of the Gulf in Gaza, on Sunday.

The main challenge for Trump's plan is that Hamas is reluctant to carry out gunfire.

Since the ceasefire came into force two weeks ago as the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan, Hamas has launched a brutal crackdown on the clans who have tested his grip on power.