Netanyahu criticizes Washington’s efforts to deploy an international force in Gaza
The Israeli Prime Minister is seeking to evade commitments outlined in the Trump plan, a move likely to anger the U.S. administration.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directly criticized U.S. efforts to establish a temporary international force in the Gaza Strip, a move viewed as an attempt to escape his obligations and as evidence of tensions in Israel–U.S. relations.
On November 18, the UN Security Council adopted by majority a U.S.-sponsored draft resolution calling for an end to the Israeli war in Gaza and authorizing the creation of a temporary international force until the end of 2027.
According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Netanyahu told Israeli ambassadors on Sunday: “Our friends in the United States want to establish an international force to carry out the mission. I told them: go ahead, but they cannot do everything, and perhaps they cannot carry out the most important task.”
He added: “There are specific missions this force can undertake, but not everything, and perhaps not the main objective—disarming Hamas,” highlighting the limited ability of such a force to achieve Israel’s strategic goals in the territory.
Netanyahu confirmed his intention to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of the month, noting that it would be their sixth meeting since the start of the year.
The Prime Minister’s criticism contradicts remarks he made during a press conference on Sunday following his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where he said the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement was expected to begin soon, according to Israel’s Channel 12 (centrist liberal).
The agreement entered into force on October 10 and was meant to end a bloody war waged by Israel over two years since October 8, 2023. However, Tel Aviv repeatedly violated the agreement, causing hundreds of Palestinian civilian casualties.
Israel conditions negotiations to launch the second phase on receiving what it claims is the last body of an Israeli captive in Gaza, which Hamas continues to search for.
Mediators reaffirm their rejection of any foreign administration of the Gaza Strip after the war, stressing that Palestinians will govern themselves.
On the ground, the Israeli army continued its violations of the ceasefire agreement early Monday, carrying out shelling, demolitions and gunfire in areas under its control.
Local sources reported that the army detonated residential buildings at dawn west of Rafah—an area fully controlled by the Israeli military—and also opened fire east of the city.
The same sources stated that artillery and helicopter strikes targeted several areas east of Khan Younis, with Israeli helicopters firing toward the eastern outskirts of the city.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has committed hundreds of ceasefire violations, resulting in 373 deaths and 970 injuries, based on official figures.
