Politics Rubio: Israel must feel comfortable with Gaza peacekeeping force
The US government is giving Israel a say in the composition of an international peacekeeping force (ISF) for the Gaza Strip. The force would have to be made up of states with which "Israel feels comfortable".
24.10.2025, 14:49
SDA
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this during a visit to the coordination center in Israel, which is to monitor the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to reports, Israel does not want Turkey to send troops into the Palestinian territory. A plan drawn up by the US government for an end to the Gaza war provides for the deployment of international soldiers to secure peace.
Rubio did not want to comment on which states Israel might disagree with. "I just want to say that many countries are expressing interest right now," said the US Secretary of State. "We have not yet formed this force." It would need an international mandate, for example from the United Nations or an international agreement. Work is currently underway to create the conditions for "the stabilization force to arrive as soon as possible" in the Gaza Strip.
Rubio: UNRWA will not play a role in Gaza
First of all, it must be ensured that the ceasefire in the Gaza war holds and that the people in the coastal area receive humanitarian aid. Cooperation with the United Nations is also possible for this, said Rubio. However, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) would not play a role, he added, accusing the organization of having become an offshoot of the terrorist organization Hamas.
Hamas disarmament "must be enforced"
Rubio warned that if Hamas did not lay down its weapons, this would be a violation of the agreement. "I'm not going to go into the mechanisms by which the agreement will be enforced, but it must be enforced," the US Secretary of State emphasized.
"We want a Gaza Strip where people can live without Hamas, where they have jobs, prosperity and opportunities," he continued. This is a long-term project, Rubio conceded. According to him, a better future for the people in the Gaza Strip is also important so that no one joins terrorist organizations there.
According to Rubio, it is not yet clear whether the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, will play a role in the Gaza Strip in the future. Israel has vehemently opposed this in the past.
