Israel to have veto on Gaza security force members: Netanyahu

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel alone would decide which countries it would allow to join a planned international security force — temporary international stabilization force — in Gaza.

Under a US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, a coalition of mainly Arab and Muslim powers is expected to deploy troops in the devastated Palestinian territory.

Read more: Palestine policy unchanged, decision on sending force to be made: Dar

But Netanyahu, who opposes regional rival Turkey having a role in the force, told a meeting of government ministers: “We made clear with respect to international forces that Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us.”

Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel had to be at ease with the nations contributing to a future international security force in Gaza, following reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed Turkish involvement.

Read more: Gaza security force to include countries Israel ‘comfortable with’: US

Also on Friday, the main Palestinian factions, including Hamas, said Friday they had agreed that an independent committee of technocrats would take over the running of post-war Gaza.

Even more significantly, they also called for a meeting of all forces and factions to “agree on a national strategy and to revitalise the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people”.

Read more: Hamas, other groups agree to hand Gaza to technocrat committee

ISRAEL NEEDS NO APPROVAL TO STRIKE FOES

On the other hand, Netanyahu also warned that Israel would seek no approval to strike targets in Gaza or Lebanon, despite agreeing to ceasefires.

“Israel is an independent state. We will defend ourselves by our own means and we will continue to determine our fate,” he said.

Netanyahu added, “We do not seek anyone’s approval for this. We control our security,” he said, following a week of visits by a parade of the highest level US officials seeking to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza.

Read more: Middle East allies ready to ‘straighten out Hamas’ if asked: Trump

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.