Israel Will Decide Independently Which Foreign Forces to Allow in Gaza
According to recent reports from Reuters, Israel has declared that it will unilaterally determine which foreign military forces are permitted access to the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar emphasized that Israel does not agree with the idea of allowing Turkish armed forces into the region under the framework of the US plan aimed at a final ceasefire in the Palestinian area.
Currently, it remains unclear whether other Arab or international countries are ready to send troops to participate in a multinational contingent to stabilize Gaza.
Sa’ar stressed that any country willing to send armed forces must at least consider Israel’s security interests, as the safety of Israeli citizens remains the highest priority.
At the same time, reports indicate that Israel has not violated the ceasefire, having avoided strikes on Gaza recently.
Relations between Turkey and Israel, once warm, have sharply deteriorated amid the Gaza conflict, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strong condemnation of Israel’s air and ground campaigns in the small Palestinian enclave.
Sa’ar explained that Turkey, led by Erdoğan, has adopted an unfriendly stance towards Israel, making Israel’s entry into Gaza unacceptable at this time.
Israeli officials also reaffirmed that they have not broken the ceasefire and are refraining from active strikes, which signals a desire for peace.
However, the question of international forces’ involvement remains open: while the US is negotiating with Indonesia, UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan regarding a multinational peacekeeping force, European officials are warning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lacks effective leadership to ensure peace in the Middle East, urging increased diplomatic pressure and highlighting that Palestinian suffering in Gaza continues unabated.