Tel Aviv / PNN /

 Disagreements have emerged between the Israeli government and the U.S. administration over the mechanism for forming the international force planned to deploy in the Gaza Strip as part of the second phase of the cease-fire agreement, under the plan of U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war.

This was reported by the Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11 this Sunday morning. The channel said that Tel Aviv opposes the establishment of the force under a resolution of the United Nations Security Council or the participation of Turkish armed units.

The report noted that the United States “is seeking to accelerate the process of forming the multinational force in Gaza,” but that this “raises increasing friction” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has reservations about giving the UN direct authority over the force, akin to the missions of UNIFIL in Lebanon and UNDOF in the occupied Golan.

According to the channel, Israeli security sources believe that the Hamas movement has not violated the agreement in recent days, despite delivering remains that Israel says “do not belong to the hostages,” since Tel Aviv holds that “it is preferable for the movement to hand over any possible remains of hostages.” The channel quoted security-agency sources saying: “Hamas can hand back more deceased hostages according to Israeli intelligence estimates, but is not making sufficient effort to do so.”

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdul‑Ati said in a televised interview that intensive consultations are underway with the U.S. and the UN Security Council member states “regarding the draft resolution that will grant legitimacy to the deployment of the international force in Gaza,” explaining that the resolution will define “the powers of the new force and the authorities of the temporary Palestinian Administrative Committee that will run the enclave.” He expressed hope for “a speedy outcome from the Security Council,” confirming that the consultations are coordinated with the U.S. and several regional parties, in preparation for the reconstruction and stabilization phase in the territory.

Earlier Israeli reports indicated that Washington is leading advanced talks to establish a “temporary international stability force” composed only of Arab and Islamic countries, without direct Western participation, with its headquarters in the U.S. “Civil-Military Coordination Centre” in Kiryat Gat south of Israel. This force would oversee aid coordination, disarmament and security during the transition in Gaza.

In contrast, Israel insists that field control and security decision-making in the territory remain in its hands, rejecting any UN-style peace-keeping model, while diplomatic reports indicate that Washington may face opposition from Russia and China within the Security Council, which could delay the authorization needed for the force’s deployment.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is visiting Washington this week for talks with U.S. officials on the draft UN resolution regarding the formation of the international force. Reports say Dermer’s visit will focus on “finalizing the draft formula for the international force,” in participation with President Trump’s envoys Steve Biegun and Jared Kushner, aiming to “obtain a limited UN mandate without giving the UN an operational role.”

According to the reports, “the disagreement with Washington is not only over which body will form the force, but also the nature of its powers,” while most of the countries proposed to participate insist on “an official Security Council resolution before deployment,” which may face Israeli objection if the resolution is adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter (which allows the use of force).

On a related note, Jordan and Germany yesterday (Saturday) said that the international force intended for Gaza under the Trump plan must obtain a mandate from the Security Council.

Trump’s 20-point plan calls for forming “a temporary international stabilization force to be deployed immediately” in Gaza, which will “provide training and support to approved Palestinian police forces” in the territory.