Israel’s security cabinet voted on July 26, 2026, to approve a limited international stabilisation force entering parts of Gaza beyond Israeli military control, marking the first time the Israeli government has formally consented to foreign troops deploying inside the territory. The decision, reported by Reuters, authorises a pilot programme of roughly 200 troops under a framework proposed by the Trump administration’s Board of Peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington hours later for talks with President Donald Trump, telling reporters that Iran would dominate the agenda.
The cabinet vote came amid a rapidly shifting landscape in Gaza. Israel now controls nearly 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, according to an NPR analysis published on July 10, 2026, following more than 1,000 days of war that began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and reduced vast sections of the territory to rubble. The new force is intended to provide security for humanitarian aid distribution and eventual reconstruction in areas where the Israeli military does not maintain a permanent presence.
Cabinet Approval and Force Composition
According to Reuters, the security cabinet approved letting an international force enter “areas beyond Israeli control” in Gaza. The Times of Israel reported that the initial deployment would comprise approximately 200 troops in a pilot capacity, rather than the large-scale peacekeeping operation originally envisioned. The Jerusalem Post confirmed that the cabinet approved a proposal from the Board of Peace to launch Gaza reconstruction activities alongside the force deployment.
Five countries were identified in February 2026 as potential troop contributors, according to Al Jazeera: Indonesia, Morocco, and Kosovo were among the nations expected to send personnel. The force would operate under a mandate coordinated through the Board of Peace, a body established by the Trump administration to oversee post-conflict arrangements in Gaza. Israeli officials emphasised that Jerusalem would retain veto power over which nations participate, a condition Netanyahu has stressed since the concept was first floated in late 2025.
Hamas Dissolves Government as Power Transfer Begins
The cabinet decision followed a significant shift in Gaza’s internal politics. On July 6, 2026, Hamas announced the dissolution of its governing body in Gaza, stating it would cede administrative control to a technocratic committee backed by the international community. Al Jazeera reported that the move was intended to facilitate the transfer of power to a body that could work with foreign donors and reconstruction agencies. The Times of Israel noted that the dissolution was framed as a step toward an eventual handover to technocrats unaffiliated with Hamas.
The Hamas decision removed one of the principal obstacles to deploying an international force, since Israel and the United States had repeatedly stated that no such deployment could proceed while Hamas retained governmental authority in the territory. However, analysts cautioned that Hamas’s military wing remained intact and that the dissolution of the civil administration did not necessarily mean the end of the group’s armed presence. TIME magazine reported on July 7 that the question of who would govern Gaza after Hamas remained unresolved, with the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and the Board of Peace all offering competing visions.
Board of Peace Scales Down Ambitions
The Guardian reported on July 16, 2026, that the Board of Peace had abandoned its original comprehensive Gaza recovery plan in favour of a much smaller pilot scheme. The full plan, which had envisioned billions of dollars in reconstruction funding and a multi-phase rebuilding effort, was reduced to a limited initiative covering a small geographic area. Middle East Eye separately reported that the Board of Peace fund had not secured sufficient money for Gaza reconstruction, casting doubt on the financial backing for the broader effort.
The scaled-down approach reflected both the practical difficulties of operating in a devastated war zone and the political constraints in Washington and Jerusalem. The National reported on July 20 that the Board of Peace had approved a pilot project to house Gazans in a limited zone, with the international force providing security. Critics noted that the pilot covered only a fraction of the territory in need of reconstruction, while supporters argued that a limited, verifiable success would build confidence for a larger rollout.
Netanyahu Heads to Washington With Iran on Agenda
Netanyahu departed for Washington on July 27 for what US News described as a high-stakes meeting with Trump. The prime minister told reporters before departure that Iran was “at the top of the agenda,” according to the Independent. The meeting was expected to cover the Gaza force deployment, the Board of Peace’s next steps, and the broader confrontation with Iran, which has intensified following direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran earlier in 2026.
Politico reported that the Netanyahu-Trump relationship had been tested by disagreements over the pace of Gaza reconstruction and the composition of the international force. The Times of Israel noted that Netanyahu travelled under heightened security following reports of an Iranian threat against him personally. The Washington talks were expected to produce a joint statement endorsing the pilot programme and outlining a timeline for the force’s deployment.
Regional Reaction and What Comes Next
Arab states have responded cautiously to the cabinet decision. Jordan and Egypt, both of which border Gaza and have been deeply involved in ceasefire mediation, have expressed support in principle for an international force while pressing for a fuller reconstruction plan. Al Jazeera reported on July 27 that analysts characterised Israel’s approval as a “calculated manoeuvre” designed to demonstrate willingness to cooperate on Gaza’s future while retaining effective control over the territory. Critics in the region argued that a 200-troop pilot fell far short of what was needed to secure humanitarian corridors and protect displaced civilians.
The coming weeks will determine whether the pilot programme moves from cabinet approval to actual deployment. The Board of Peace is expected to present a detailed implementation plan after the Netanyahu-Trump meeting, including the specific countries contributing troops, the exact geographic zone of operations, and the rules of engagement. The Palestinian Authority has indicated it would support a force operating under a clear international mandate, while Hamas’s military wing has not publicly commented on the deployment. Observers will be watching for whether the force can establish security in its designated zone without triggering clashes with Israeli forces or Palestinian armed groups, and whether the Board of Peace can secure the funding needed to move beyond the pilot stage.