Israel Approves International Force Entry into Gaza Amid Geopolitical Risk

Israel’s security cabinet has voted to approve the limited entry of an International Stabilization Force into Gaza under the US-backed Board of Peace plan, according to an Israeli official.

Cabinet Split on the Vote

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir voted against the proposal, while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar supported it. The official did not specify a timeline for deploying the force, which would first station troops along the borders of a planned pilot humanitarian zone in Gaza.

Rafah Pilot Zone Plan

The Board of Peace has spent months promoting a plan to establish a humanitarian zone in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, where Israeli troops would withdraw and be replaced by International Stabilization Force personnel. The arrangement would let an initial group of vetted Gazans relocate from Hamas-controlled areas. Hamas has so far refused to disarm under President Trump’s 20-point Gaza framework, complicating the Board’s efforts to secure full Israeli approval.

Diplomatic Groundwork

Board of Peace officials Nickolay Mladenov and Aryeh Lightstone met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week and received a positive response. Much of the cabinet’s discussion centered on a letter Lightstone sent last month calling for eased restrictions on dual-use humanitarian aid, agreements allowing ISF-contributing countries to send troops, and approval for vetting a Palestinian police force under the Trump plan.

Elections Complicate Timeline

Arab diplomats and Israeli officials say progress has slowed with Israeli elections approaching, as Netanyahu’s coalition remains cautious about reconstruction while Hamas stays armed across much of Gaza. A Board official said cooperation continues even if implementation takes longer.