Ben-Gvir opposes international forces entering Gaza, citing Hamas disarmament concerns
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has said he opposed a proposal to allow an international force to enter the Gaza Strip, arguing that Hamas has not fulfilled commitments to disarm and dismantle its military capabilities.
Commenting on a decision by Israel’s political-security cabinet to approve the entry of an international stabilization force into Gaza, Ben-Gvir said he did not believe foreign forces could be trusted. He also reiterated his opposition to the broader international plan and argued that encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza was, in his view, the preferred solution.
Ben-Gvir claimed that Israel should not be expected to make concessions while Hamas remains armed. He argued that the planned deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), initially expected to begin operations in Rafah, does not demonstrate a genuine commitment by Hamas to surrender its weapons.
The proposal has generated differing opinions within the Israeli government. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has reportedly argued that the international initiative should be given an opportunity to succeed, maintaining that Israel should not be the party responsible for blocking the plan.
Other ministers, including Zeev Elkin and Bezalel Smotrich, have expressed support for the pilot project, viewing it as a potential step toward establishing an alternative to Hamas's control over parts of the Gaza Strip.
Under the proposed framework, a pilot zone would be established in Rafah, where a Palestinian technocratic administration would oversee daily civilian affairs with assistance from a multinational force led by the United States. The plan would focus on delivering humanitarian aid and supporting the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure.
Residents seeking to live in the designated areas would reportedly undergo security screening to determine whether they have links to Hamas.
If the pilot project proves successful, the initiative could eventually be expanded to other parts of Gaza. The proposed arrangement would also maintain Israeli military control over the so-called Yellow Line, with a full withdrawal reportedly dependent on the complete disarmament of Hamas.
The plan has nevertheless faced criticism from some Israeli security groups, which have warned that reconstruction efforts carried out before disarmament could potentially strengthen Hamas rather than weaken it. They have also raised concerns about the possible security implications for Israeli communities located near the Gaza border.
The debate reflects the broader disagreements surrounding Gaza’s future security and governance, as Israeli officials and international actors continue to consider different approaches to humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and the establishment of a new security framework for the territory.
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