US Backs Israel: Netanyahu Gets Support to Block Unwanted Troops from Gaza Force

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured US backing for his demand to control the composition of a future international peacekeeping force in Gaza. “We have made it clear… Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us,” Netanyahu said, adding, “This is, of course, acceptable to the United States.”
This alignment was confirmed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Israel. Rubio stated the force must consist of “countries that Israel’s comfortable with” and was adamant that Gaza’s future governance must exclude Hamas. The US has ruled out sending its own troops.
The decision on the force’s makeup is pending, but Netanyahu has already signaled opposition to Turkish participation. Relations with Turkey soured significantly during the war. Other potential contributors could include Egypt, Indonesia, and Gulf Arab countries.
This diplomatic maneuvering unfolds against the backdrop of a shaky truce brokered by Donald Trump, which took effect on October 10. The agreement is challenged by Hamas’s refusal to disarm and by recent violence.
The ceasefire was tested when Israeli forces struck the Nuseirat refugee camp. Hamas called it a “violation,” while Israel claimed it targeted Islamic Jihad militants. Separately, Trump has publicly warned Hamas to accelerate the return of Israeli hostage remains as stipulated in the truce.