Israeli reports reveal approval of three countries to participate in “Gaza Force”

Briefings presented during the latest meeting of Israel’s Political-Security Cabinet (“the Cabinet”), held Thursday evening prior to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure to the United States to meet President Donald Trump, revealed that three countries have agreed to a U.S. request to send forces to participate in an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip.

According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, one of these countries is Indonesia, while the names of the other two were not disclosed. Meanwhile, uncertainty still surrounds Azerbaijan’s position; although it had previously expressed readiness to send forces, it has now become hesitant following pressure from Turkey.

Among other countries previously mentioned as potential contributors of troops are Italy, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The newspaper noted that even if the United States announces a transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire to implement Trump’s 20-point plan, additional logistical preparations would still be required. This process would take several more weeks before the plan is fully completed, the stabilization force is formed, and its deployment to the Gaza Strip begins.

Quoting a senior Israeli official following the Cabinet meeting, the report stated:
“The main plan of Trump and Netanyahu was to expand the Abraham Accords after the war ends and the hostages are returned. Now, however, it is stuck in a greater challenge, with the focus currently on moving to the second phase and what will happen with the multinational force.”

The official stressed that Turkey would not be part of this force, adding:
“They will not impose on us anyone we do not want, and we do not want Turkey.”

The same official said:
“The transition to the second phase will take time, even if the body of the last hostage, Ran Gafili, is returned, because the international force is not ready yet. The Americans want everything to be in order before the force even enters.”

According to the newspaper, there is significant skepticism within Israel regarding the international force’s ability to succeed and to disarm Hamas, although some believe it should be given an opportunity.

The paper added that security briefings presented to the Cabinet indicate that Hamas continues to arm itself and grow stronger, though it has not yet fully restored its previous strength.

Regarding the possibility of Russian involvement in the international force, the Israeli official said:
“Russia could actually be a hostile factor to Turkey, and that is not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems there are many internal problems in Syria,” referring to Russian and Turkish interventions and both countries’ preoccupation with the situation in Syria.

This comes as Netanyahu is preparing to travel to Florida on Saturday evening ahead of a meeting scheduled for next Monday with Trump a summit that could bring about changes in the situation in the Middle East and Israel, according to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, which reported that Israel is currently seeking to take various complex steps in the region to maximize its influence ahead of the anticipated summit.

ANHA