The “lingering challenge” of Hamas refusing to disarm is prompting Israel to take a hard line on Gaza’s future. In response to the group’s defiance, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that Israel will have the final say on any international force.
“Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us,” Netanyahu stated, asserting a veto power he says the United States supports. This comes as Hamas has reportedly cracked down on other factions, consolidating its power despite the truce.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Israel, confirmed the alignment, stating the force must be “countries that Israel’s comfortable with” and that Gaza’s future governance must be decided “excluding Hamas.”
Netanyahu has already signaled this veto would be used to block Turkey. Meanwhile, the fragile truce is being tested on multiple fronts.
Hamas condemned an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat camp as a “clear violation.” At the same time, Hamas’s slow return of hostage remains has prompted a public warning from Donald Trump.