Israel's security establishment is warning that the planned deployment of an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip could restrict the IDF's operational freedom and enable Hamas to recover, after the security cabinet approved granting legal immunity to the force ahead of its entry into designated areas of the enclave on Sunday.
According to political and security officials, the United States is pressing Israel to move forward with the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip before it has been fully demilitarized and before Hamas has been disarmed. Security officials assess that the deployment of the international stabilization force could limit the IDF's offensive freedom of action, weaken its ability to operate against terrorist cells, and ultimately strengthen Hamas.
The warnings came after the security cabinet approved granting immunity to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) ahead of its planned deployment to certain areas of the Gaza Strip.
A political source explained that the preliminary approval for the force's entry is part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan, which led to the release of all the hostages. According to the source, after approving the entry of approximately 200 representatives from friendly countries, including Uganda and Morocco, Israel continues to insist that the IDF remain along the Yellow Line and not withdraw from it until Hamas has been disarmed and the Gaza Strip has been fully demilitarized.
Cabinet backs Gaza Force as security officials sound alarm
However, Walla has learned that political and security officials asked the Americans to postpone the next phase of the plan in order to avoid undermining the IDF's achievements. The request was rejected, and the officials were informed that the process would continue in accordance with Trump's wishes.
Security officials argue that introducing the international stabilization force at this stage would normalize Hamas's status and allow the organization to select a new leadership, rebuild its military wing, reestablish its rule, and deepen its hold over Palestinian society through intimidation and violence.
According to the officials, only the IDF is capable of removing weapons from the Gaza Strip and dismantling Hamas's military capabilities, not a multinational force.
Security officials also expressed doubts about the feasibility of establishing a terrorism-free "Green City" in Rafah. In their assessment, Hamas would continue to intimidate the local population, control developments from behind the scenes, and exploit the initiative for its own purposes, including by smuggling weapons from Egypt and constructing new terrorist infrastructure.
Military officials familiar with the process said that every step toward introducing multinational forces into Gaza prevents Israel from completing the demilitarization of the territory and contradicts what they described as an American commitment that Hamas would first be disarmed before reconstruction efforts began.
"In practice, the exact opposite is happening," the officials said.
They further assessed that bringing forces from countries friendly to Israel into the Gaza Strip would increase political and operational sensitivity surrounding any future military activity, weaken the IDF's operational initiative, and further restrict its ability to act against terrorist organizations.
Meanwhile, the advocacy group "Future for the Gaza Envelope" sharply criticized the cabinet's decision and demanded a clear answer from the government on whether the move would make residents of the Gaza border communities safer.
"If the answer is not unequivocal, the process must not move forward," the organization said.
The group stressed that it would oppose rebuilding the Gaza Strip before the threat posed by Hamas is removed and said it would not accept a return to the security reality that existed before October 7.
According to the organization, residents of the Gaza border region have already paid the highest possible price for security concepts that ultimately failed and are unwilling to accept additional decisions based on hope or promises.
The group added that the lessons of October 7 must guide every future decision.
"Any process of reconstruction, diplomatic arrangement, or political initiative must begin only after Hamas has ceased to be both a military and governing threat. It is impossible to discuss 'the day after' while there is still no certainty that yesterday's threat has been eliminated," it said.
The organization also stressed that any future framework must include effective monitoring and oversight mechanisms to guarantee Israel's security, freedom of action, real-time intelligence capabilities, and the early detection of any renewed terrorist activity.