The defense establishment assessed that the entry of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) into Gaza could restrict the IDF’s freedom to conduct offensive operations, weaken its ability to act against emerging terrorist cells, and strengthen Hamas, diplomatic and security sources told Walla on Sunday.
This comes as the United States presses Israel to move forward with rebuilding the Gaza Strip before it has been fully demilitarized and Hamas has been disarmed, the sources added.
In this context, the security cabinet approved on Sunday evening granting immunity to the ISF ahead of its deployment to certain areas of the Gaza Strip.
A diplomatic official explained that the approval in principle for the force’s entry was included in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, which led to the release of all the hostages.
The official said that following approval for the deployment of approximately 200 personnel from countries friendly to Israel, including Uganda and Morocco, Israel continued to insist that the IDF remain on the yellow line and not withdraw from it until Hamas had been disarmed and the Gaza Strip fully demilitarized.
Security officials warn of constraints on IDF operations
However, Walla learned that diplomatic and defense officials asked the Americans to postpone the next stage of the initiative to prevent the erosion of the IDF’s achievements. The request was rejected, and the officials were told that the process was moving forward in accordance with Trump’s wishes.
The defense establishment argues that the move normalizes Hamas’s current position and allows the terrorist organization to select new leaders, rebuild its military wing, reestablish its rule, and deepen its hold over Palestinian society through intimidation and violence.
Officials said that only the IDF, rather than a multinational force, is capable of clearing the Gaza Strip of weapons and disarming Hamas.
Security officials also expressed doubt over the feasibility of establishing a terrorism-free “green city” in Rafah. They assess that Hamas will continue to intimidate the population, control events remotely, and exploit the initiative for its own purposes, including through smuggling from Egypt and the establishment of new terrorist infrastructure.
Military officials familiar with the process said that any progress in deploying multinational forces to the Gaza Strip would prevent Israel from demilitarizing the territory and contradict the US commitment that Hamas must first be disarmed before reconstruction moves forward.
“In practice, the exact opposite is happening,” they said.
The officials further assessed that deploying personnel from countries friendly to Israel would increase the sensitivity surrounding any military action in the Gaza Strip, weaken the IDF’s operational initiative, and limit its ability to act against emerging terrorist cells.