The Diplomatic-Security Cabinet has approved the entry of the multinational Board of Peace force into Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voted against the measure and was in the minority.
"This is an international plan," Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said. "It may not succeed, but we should not be the ones to undermine it." Minister Zeev Elkin said: "We already decided this issue in the past and determined that if hostages were released, we would allow international forces into Gaza."
Ben-Gvir, however, said: "Hamas has not met its commitment to disarm and demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and therefore we are not bound by the agreement either. I opposed the 20-point plan from the outset. The solution in Gaza is to encourage emigration."
Israel Hayom revealed last month that the Board of Peace had already prepared the infrastructure needed to begin limited reconstruction work in areas free of Hamas, with the aim of severing the terrorist organization's control over the population. Residents of the Gaza border communities, however, fear that as long as Hamas remains in power, the plan amounts to a backdoor route toward beginning Gaza's reconstruction while the terrorist organization remains armed, in violation of previous cabinet decisions.
Last Tuesday, Aryeh Lightstone, a Board of Peace representative on behalf of the US administration, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss the issues currently on the agenda in Gaza. The meeting was the latest in a series of discussions between the two over Gaza, against the backdrop of Hamas' refusal to accept proposals for its disarmament.
Meanwhile, the Board of Peace has continued preparations for temporary reconstruction work in designated humanitarian zones. Among other measures, logistics warehouses have been rented to distribute aid without using UN organizations, and a semi-military camp has been established along the border to house the multinational forces that will operate in the designated areas.
As noted, the cabinet, which is expected to convene within the next hour, is set to discuss a proposal drafted through the Board of Peace. The ministers had not been informed of its contents before the meeting.
