Hamas: International Forces Do Not Need to Guard Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - The Palestinian movement Hamas believes that Palestine must be responsible for the internal security of the Gaza Strip, while international forces should only monitor the demarcation line with Israel.

"The Palestinian people, together with a government committee consisting of technocrats, will manage the Gaza Strip independently, including in terms of ensuring its internal security. International forces will have no role in this," said member of the Hamas political bureau, Husam Badran, to RIA Novosti on Tuesday, December 16, reported ANTARA.

According to the official, all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, agreed on the role of international forces in the enclave in the future.

"We will approve (the presence of) such forces if they have a clear and limited mandate to monitor the ceasefire between the warring parties. This includes their presence on the Gaza border," Badran said.

Previously, the UN Security Council had approved a resolution proposed by the United States to support US President Donald Trump's comprehensive plan to resolve the situation in Gaza.

A total of 13 out of 15 council members voted in favor, while Russia and China abstained.

The US plan for Gaza calls for an interim international government in the Gaza Strip as well as the formation of a "peace council" led by Trump. The plan also includes a military mandate for international stabilization forces to be deployed in coordination with Israel and Egypt.

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