Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel to Decide Which Nations Join Gaza Security Force Under Trump’s Peace Proposal
In a significant statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel alone will determine which foreign troops are permitted to participate in an international peacekeeping force planned for Gaza under U.S. President Donald Trump’s post-war proposal.
The plan, which aims to ensure long-term stability and prevent the resurgence of militant groups after the latest Israel–Hamas conflict, envisions a multinational coalition of security forces to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and transitional governance.
However, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel will maintain ultimate control over security decisions in the territory.
‘Israel Will Decide What Is Acceptable’
Addressing his Cabinet in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said: Israel will determine which forces are acceptable and which are not.
This is how we have always operated, and this is how we will continue to operate.”
The Prime Minister added that Washington fully supports Israel’s position, emphasizing that Israel’s security autonomy is non-negotiable:
This policy is, of course, acceptable to the United States as well,” he said.
Israel currently maintains strict control over Gaza’s border crossings, airspace, and coastal waters, following the large-scale offensive it launched after the October 7, 202,3, Hamas attacks, which killed more than 1,400 Israelis and triggered the ongoing war.
Trump’s Post-War Proposal and the Coalition Plan
The Trump administration’s Gaza Stabilization Initiative, often referred to as the “20-Point Gaza Peace Plan,” proposes the creation of a multinational peacekeeping and reconstruction force.
While the United States has ruled out deploying its own soldiers, the force could include troops and security experts from Egypt, Indonesia, and Gulf Arab nations such as the UAE and Bahrain — countries that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
However, the composition of this force remains uncertain, as many potential contributors are cautious about the political and security implications of involvement in Gaza — a region deeply scarred by conflict and political division.
Tensions Over Turkey’s Exclusion
Netanyahu also signaled that Turkey would not be welcome in any Gaza security arrangement.
Relations between Jerusalem and Ankara have sharply deteriorated during the war, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan becoming one of Israel’s most vocal critics, accusing Netanyahu’s government of committing “war crimes” in Gaza.
The Israeli leadership views Turkey’s stance as hostile and incompatible with the objectives of a neutral stabilization mission.
U.S. Response and Diplomatic Challenges
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Israel’s position, saying that any peacekeeping or transitional force in Gaza must involve countries that Israel is comfortable with.”
Rubio added that Washington is exploring the framework for a UN-backed resolution or international agreement to legitimize the mission.
Further talks are expected in Doha, Qatar, in the coming days, involving U.S., Israeli, and Arab diplomats.
While the plan represents one of the most ambitious attempts to define Gaza’s post-war governance, several challenges remain unresolved — most notably the issue of Hamas.
Hamas, Disarmament, and the Path Ahead
Under Trump’s proposed roadmap, Hamas would be required to fully disarm and relinquish control over Gaza in exchange for reconstruction aid and partial political reintegration.
However, Hamas has so far refused to surrender its weapons, even after the two-week ceasefire brokered under the Trump plan.
According to Reuters, Hamas has instead tightened its grip on local factions and cracked down on rival groups, raising doubts about the group’s willingness to comply with international demands.
Netanyahu reiterated that Israel will not tolerate any future role for Hamas in Gaza’s administration, stating that “Hamas cannot be part of Gaza’s future governance in any capacity.”
A Balancing Act Between Allies and Autonomy
The Israeli leader also pushed back against claims that Israel’s actions are dictated by Washington, asserting that while Israel and the U.S. remain close allies, Israel acts with full sovereignty: Israel is an independent country.
The United States is our partner — not our overseer,” he emphasized.
The situation remains fluid as global stakeholders deliberate over how to stabilize Gaza without reigniting tensions or empowering extremist factions.
The proposed international force, though still in its infancy, represents both a hope for peace and a test of geopolitical balance in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
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