Key facts
- Israel's security cabinet approved the entry of an international force into Gaza.
- The international force will operate in areas not under Israeli control.
- The move is part of a U.S.-backed plan proposed in October.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposed the decision.
- The plan involves a Palestinian technocratic committee for governance.
- The decision precedes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Israel's security cabinet has approved the entry of a proposed international force into Gaza areas not under Israeli control, a move that comes one day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision is part of a U.S.-backed plan for Gaza, first proposed in October, which aims to establish a "terror-free" zone and gradually transfer governance to a Palestinian technocratic committee.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was the sole dissenter, arguing that Hamas had not met its commitments to disarm and demilitarize the Strip. He expressed opposition to the 20-point plan from its inception, advocating instead for encouraging emigration from Gaza.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described the initiative as an "international plan" that should not be undermined, while Minister Zeev Elkin noted that previous decisions linked the allowance of international forces to hostage releases. The Board of Peace, represented by Aryeh Lightstone, has been preparing infrastructure for temporary reconstruction in designated humanitarian zones, including logistics warehouses and a semi-military camp for multinational forces.
The plan, referred to as the "Board of Peace" or "Board of Peace," involves an initial international peacekeeping force of approximately 200 representatives from countries with peace agreements with Israel, such as Uganda and Morocco. Entry of these forces requires specific approval from the prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister. The Palestinian technocratic committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), is expected to operate in a small area between Israeli-controlled zones and areas officially under Hamas control, known as the "Orange Zone."