Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strock called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately halt the entry of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) into the Gaza Strip, according to the ministers. They said the cabinet decision was based on incorrect information. The ISF is a multinational force designated to manage stabilization in Gaza.
Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strock called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately halt the entry of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) into the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the ministers. The statement said the security cabinet's decision was based on incorrect information. The call comes at 16:19 Jerusalem, following a series of reports earlier this afternoon.
At 16:10 Jerusalem, the story unfolded through multiple reports. An initial report from N12 journalist Dafna Liel stated that the ministers demanded a re-vote in the security cabinet, alleging they were provided with false information. Shortly after, the ministers were reported to have detailed seven specific objections to the Gaza Peace Council's roadmap, including that the disarmament plan is not genuine and that heavy weapons would remain under Palestinian control. The ministers also demanded an emergency cabinet meeting to block the ISF entry. The reports evolved from a single source to multiple confirmations, culminating in the ministers' own statement.
The ISF is a multinational body designated to manage civilian and security stabilization in Gaza, operating under Israeli security conditions, as previously reported by The Zioneer. The Gaza Peace Council's roadmap, published on July 31, proposes that heavy weapons be stored in Gaza under Palestinian control, a point of friction for the Israeli security establishment. Minister Smotrich has been a consistent opponent of the Gaza deal, saying on June 15 that the agreement is "bad for Israel" and vowing to continue the campaign to topple Hamas in "creative ways."
It remains unclear whether Prime Minister Netanyahu will respond to the ministers' demand or whether the security cabinet will convene. The status of the ISF's entry into Gaza remains uncertain.
5 developments
- DevelopingReport: US pushes Gaza reconstruction and international force, cabinet blocks interim deal
- DevelopingMK Limor Son Har Melech slams government approval of foreign UN forces in Gaza
- DevelopingBereaved families oppose cabinet decision to allow foreign forces into Gaza
- DevelopingZioneer Analysis: Unclear if Gaza Multinational Force, Lebanon Withdrawal Signal Broader Shift
Source and signal
- Open-source intake