Israel to allow international force into Gaza: Official

Israel has agreed to permit a multinational security force to enter Gaza, a move outlined in a ceasefire plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump. The Israeli security cabinet officially approved the legal framework for this force on Sunday, ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Washington. The official stated that the force, named the International Stabilization Force, will consist of 200 members from "friendly countries such as Uganda and Morocco."

Each contingent will require individual Israeli approval to enter Gaza, and it remains unclear when the deployment will occur. Much of Gaza has been devastated by conflict since Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Trump's peace plan, agreed upon in October, included provisions for increased humanitarian aid, administration by Palestinian technocrats, Hamas disarmament, and Israeli withdrawal.

However, the plan has faced significant hurdles. The group of technocrats, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, has not yet entered the enclave. Israel currently controls approximately 64 percent of Gaza, while the majority of its 2 million residents live in difficult conditions along the coast under Hamas control, often in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings.

Hamas has resisted disarming, and Israel has indicated plans to expand its control to 70 percent of Gaza, continuing near-daily military strikes. Nickolay Mladenov, Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, welcomed Israel's decision, calling it "a critical part of the agreed framework for stabilizing Gaza, supporting demilitarization, and enabling the transition to effective Palestinian transitional administration."

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It is a critical part of the agreed framework for stabilizing Gaza, supporting demilitarization, and enabling the transition to effective Palestinian transitional administration.