A month after cabinet approval, PMO denies: "We did not approve the entry of an international force into Gaza"

A month after the cabinet approved the entry of an international force into Gaza, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that "contrary to reports, the political echelon did not approve the entry of an international force into the Gaza Strip." The office further claimed that "Israel has clarified that there will be no reconstruction of any kind in the Strip before the full disarmament of Hamas."

The vote was approved by the Security Cabinet last July, with only Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir opposing it. The political echelon claimed today that the decision reached was to approve future immunity for the soldiers who will enter—and not to allow their entry now—but that is not what the cabinet members voted on. According to the vote, Israel agreed to the restoration of basic services in the Strip, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the establishment of shelters in areas not under Hamas control—as well as the entry of the International Peace Council established at the initiative of US President Donald Trump. In addition, just yesterday, the US approved a budget of 206 million dollars for the force.

A political source emphasized after the approval in the cabinet that "at this stage, it involves only about 200 representatives from friendly countries such as Uganda and Morocco." He added:

"The principled approval for the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enter the Gaza Strip was set in President Donald Trump's '20-point plan' which led to the release of all hostages. The State of Israel stands by the principle that the IDF will continue to hold the yellow line and there will be no withdrawal of any kind as long as Hamas is not fully disarmed and the Strip is not fully demilitarized."