Netanyahu rules out foreign troops and Palestinian state in Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed growing discussion around the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza initiative, stressing that Israel’s political and security objectives will be fully upheld.

After the return of all hostages, Netanyahu said the government is now concentrating on what he described as the two remaining core goals, as per Israeli media reports.

“Now we are focusing on completing the two remaining missions: dismantling Hamas’s weapons and demilitarising Gaza of arms and tunnels,” the prime minister stated.

Referring to his understanding with President Trump, Netanyahu emphasised that these objectives would be achieved regardless of the circumstances. “As I agreed with President Trump… there are only two possibilities: either this will be done the easy way or it will be done the hard way, but in any case, it will happen,” he said. He firmly rejected suggestions that reconstruction could begin before demilitarisation, adding, “I am already hearing the statements that we will allow Gaza’s reconstruction before demilitarisation. That will not happen.”

Netanyahu also dismissed speculation about foreign military involvement in Gaza. “I am hearing that we will bring Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers into Gaza. That too will not happen,” he said.

Addressing reports about the possible establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, the prime minister spoke with particular emphasis. “I am hearing that I will allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza. That did not happen, and it will not happen,” Netanyahu said. He went on to underline his long-standing opposition to such a move: “I think all of you know that the one who repeatedly stopped the establishment of a Palestinian state is me, together with my colleagues in the governments I have led. Even today and tomorrow, we will not allow this.”

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s security stance across the entire region. “Israel will maintain security control over the entire area from the Jordan River to the sea, and that applies to the Gaza Strip as well,” he said.

President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, unveiled in 2025, is designed to bring an end to the Gaza war through a step-by-step process. It begins with an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, followed by a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, the complete demilitarisation of Gaza, and large-scale reconstruction under an international framework involving a technocratic Palestinian authority.

According to analysts, the proposal is structured in several stages. These include initial humanitarian measures and a halt to hostilities, followed by a security stabilisation phase supported by an international monitoring force and a gradual pullback of Israeli troops. The later phases focus on long-term political, economic, and governance reforms, alongside extensive reconstruction efforts.

The United Nations Security Council has endorsed the comprehensive 20-point initiative through Resolution 2803. The resolution welcomed the establishment of a “Board of Peace,” an international body tasked with overseeing stabilisation and reconstruction in Gaza, coordinating global support, and supervising the transition process.

By Tamilla Hasanova