Israel’s Cabinet Approves International Force and “Peace Council” for Gaza

Israel’s security cabinet today (Sunday) approved the entry of the “Peace Council” into the Gaza Strip, alongside the multinational force and the technocratic government. As part of the decision, the cabinet also effectively approved the start of a pilot program to rehabilitate the Strip, which will launch in the Rafah area and include a series of civilian measures in areas not under Hamas control.

According to the approved plan, the pilot will include the construction of temporary buildings, the provision of basic services, the transfer of humanitarian aid, and the establishment of shelters. In addition, the possibility will be examined of allowing residents of the Gaza Strip to live in the area, subject to rigorous screening designed to ensure they are not affiliated with Hamas.

At the same time as the cabinet’s decision, a political source said that “the principled approval for the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enter the Gaza Strip was established in President Trump’s 20-point plan that led to the release of all the hostages.”

According to the source, the State of Israel is not changing its position regarding its military presence in the Strip: “The State of Israel insists on the principle that the IDF will continue to hold the Yellow Line, and there will be no withdrawal whatsoever as long as Hamas has not been fully disarmed and the Strip has not been completely demilitarized.”

It was also stated that the cabinet approved granting the ISF immunity under the “Immunities for International Organizations Law.” Under the decision, the international force will operate in full coordination with the IDF in areas beyond the Yellow Line, in territories not under IDF control.

At the same time, it was determined that the entry of any ISF force into the Strip will not take place automatically. According to the cabinet decision, every entry will require specific approval from the prime minister, the defense minister, and the foreign minister.

The cabinet also determined that Israel will be the body that approves which countries will be permitted to send forces as part of the ISF. Under the decision, only countries that maintain a peace agreement with Israel and do not act against it or against its senior officials in the international arena will be able to take part in the multinational force.