Israel will not agree to the deployment of foreign forces in the Gaza Strip without a workable plan to disarm Hamas and establish a mechanism to carry it out. With no such agreement in sight, Israeli officials assess that once the ultimatum period given to Hamas expires, the IDF will resume military pressure on the terrorist organization.
Greece will send troops, armored vehicles and engineers to the ISF. Deployment date not yet set, but Greek representatives have already been placed at the US-led coordination center in southern Israel.
Senior US officials have told The New York Times that under a draft plan formulated by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Hamas would be permitted to keep its light weapons for an unspecified period, although the terrorist organization would be required to hand over any arms capable of being used to attack Israel.
The commander of the Indonesian military has announced that his country is preparing to deploy an expanded brigade on a peacekeeping mission to the Gaza Strip. While the Indonesian armed forces have extensive experience in counterterrorism operations and significant logistical capabilities, their conduct in places such as Papua and East Timor raises serious concerns.
The world’s largest Muslim-majority country is preparing to deploy a force of up to 8,000 troops to the Gaza Strip, Indonesian Army Commander Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak said, adding that the expeditionary force would include medical and engineering units as well as special forces.
The former US secretary of state said Iran should be concerned about the president’s intentions. Pompeo argued that Hamas will not disarm and that only the use of force will bring results. He said Mahmoud Abbas is a supporter of terrorism and must not be allowed to control Gaza after the war.
Dozens of ambulances from the Egyptian Red Crescent entered through the Rafah Crossing as part of preparations to evacuate wounded and sick Gazans. An Israeli security official said the pilot opening of the crossing was now underway, but it was still unclear whether Gaza residents would begin passing through it later on Sunday.
Terror group insists on immunity for commanders before surrendering weapons. Washington receptive to idea, but Jerusalem demands concrete disarming mechanism first. Regional sources say Hamas strengthening grip on Gaza rather than preparing to disarm.
Ran Gvili returned to Israel as Hamas was obligated to do under Phase One of the Gaza Plan. The fact that this happened with the backing of the technocrats’ government is giving senior officials in Washington and Israel hope that it will continue to deliver results. Its next major test, of course, will be the disarmament of Hamas.
Hamas is seeking to integrate thousands of police officers affiliated with the terrorist organization into the new administrative mechanism in Gaza. The demand is expected to face Israeli opposition, as Hamas debates whether to relinquish its weapons.
