Israel seeks US guarantees to keep its military operations in Gaza unrestricted

Israel is reportedly negotiating with the United States to obtain written guarantees that would allow it to continue its military operations in Gaza without facing sanctions, even if the UN Security Council passes a resolution to establish an international force in the territory, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Thursday.

Earlier this week, American and Israeli media outlets reported that the United States had presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council. The proposal, expected to be put to a vote in the coming days, outlines the structure and duties of an international “enforcement force” to operate in Gaza for two years, with the option to extend its mandate.

The proposed international force is part of a plan linked to US President Donald Trump’s initiative, which underpins the current ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since 10 October.

The news website Axios previously quoted a US official as saying that the force would be “an enforcement force, not a peacekeeping one”. It would include troops from several countries tasked with securing Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt, protecting civilians and humanitarian corridors, and training a new Palestinian police force, with which it’s to partner in its mission.

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