During ongoing negotiations brokered by Egypt and Qatar, Palestinian Hamas leaders have formally declined Israel's suggestion to deploy an international military presence in the Gaza Strip, according to Al Arabiya TV, citing its sources. Hamas communicated to the mediators that they reject the deployment plan, while expressing appreciation for the Arab states' solidarity on this matter.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, had put forth a proposal during his visit to Washington on March 30, proposing the formation of a temporary international security force, including Arab states, to maintain order in Gaza. The envisioned contingent would serve a limited "transition period," focusing on security, ensuring humanitarian aid delivery, supervising a temporary US-built port for aid, and potentially replacing the Hamas-led administration.
However, a representative of one of the Arab nations involved in the discussions disclosed to Axios that the Israeli side misinterpreted the position of the region's states. They stated that Arab countries are not yet prepared to provide security for aid convoys but are open to sending a peacekeeping force post-hostilities. This contingent's deployment would depend on the US taking the lead in the initiative, which has not yet been formally sought by the Israeli side. It is anticipated that further talks on this topic will take place between Israeli officials, their US counterparts, and potential Arab participants in the future.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: David Berkowitz/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS