The United States is pressing Israel to move forward with the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip before Hamas is fully disarmed and the enclave is completely demilitarized, according to Israeli political and security officials.
The issue has sparked growing concern within Israel's defense establishment, where officials warn that the planned deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) could significantly limit the Israel Defense Forces' operational freedom and undermine efforts to dismantle Hamas.
Israeli Cabinet Approves Legal Immunity for International Force
Israel's Security Cabinet has approved granting legal immunity to members of the International Stabilization Force ahead of its planned deployment to selected areas of the Gaza Strip.
According to a senior Israeli official, the move forms part of U.S. President Donald Trump's broader 20-point post-war framework, which also facilitated the release of all Israeli hostages.
The initial deployment is expected to include approximately 200 personnel from countries considered friendly to Israel, including Uganda and Morocco.
Israel Insists IDF Will Maintain Security Positions
Despite approving the initial deployment, Israeli officials stressed that the IDF will continue to hold its designated security line inside Gaza and will not withdraw until Hamas has been fully disarmed and the territory completely demilitarized.
Officials emphasized that Israel's core security objectives remain unchanged despite ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Washington Rejects Israeli Request to Delay the Initiative
Sources familiar with the discussions said Israeli political and security officials asked the United States to postpone the deployment of the international force, arguing that premature reconstruction efforts could erode the military gains achieved by the IDF.
According to the officials, Washington rejected the request, making clear that implementation of the reconstruction framework reflects President Trump's policy.
Defense Establishment Warns Hamas Could Benefit
Senior Israeli defense officials argue that introducing an international stabilization force before Hamas is dismantled risks normalizing the organization's continued presence in Gaza.
They warn the group could exploit the new environment to:
- Rebuild its military infrastructure;
- Appoint new political and military leadership;
- Restore its governing capabilities;
- Strengthen its influence over the Palestinian population through intimidation and coercion.
Defense officials maintain that only the IDF possesses the operational capability to remove weapons from Gaza and eliminate Hamas' military infrastructure.
Questions Raised Over Rafah 'Green City' Plan
Military officials have also expressed skepticism regarding proposals to establish a secure, terrorism-free "Green City" in the Rafah area.
According to security assessments, Hamas could continue to exert influence behind the scenes, intimidate local residents, exploit smuggling routes from Egypt, and gradually rebuild terrorist infrastructure despite the presence of international personnel.
Concerns Over Reduced Israeli Operational Freedom
Officials involved in the planning process warned that deploying multinational forces could make future Israeli military operations significantly more complicated.
They argue that the presence of foreign personnel would increase diplomatic sensitivities surrounding military action, reduce the IDF's operational flexibility, and make counterterrorism operations more difficult.
Some officials also contend that the current approach contradicts earlier U.S. commitments that Gaza's reconstruction would begin only after Hamas had been disarmed.
Border Communities Demand Security Before Reconstruction
The advocacy group Future for the Gaza Envelope, representing residents of communities bordering Gaza, strongly criticized the cabinet's decision.
The organization called on the government to clearly explain whether the deployment of international forces and the reconstruction process would make southern Israeli communities safer.
"The lessons of October 7 must guide every future decision," the group said in a statement. "No reconstruction, political arrangement or normalization process should begin before Hamas is eliminated as both a military and governing threat."
The organization also called for any future framework to include robust monitoring mechanisms, preservation of Israel's operational freedom, real-time intelligence capabilities, and effective safeguards against the re-emergence of terrorist organizations in Gaza.
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