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Netanyahu moves forward towards 2026 elections. Clashes with Hamas over closure of Rafah border crossing...
Egypt will most likely be entrusted with leading the International Stabilization Force envisaged in Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza.
The ISF (International Stabilization Force) will be tasked with managing security in the Strip through a motion supported by European countries and the United States in the UN Security Council, according to diplomats who told the British newspaper The Guardian.
No European troops will be deployed, but Azerbaijan will certainly be part of the ISF, the only country that has officially confirmed its willingness to send 20,000 troops.
Indonesia is likely to join, while Turkey's membership is uncertain. Despite President Erdogan's openness to Trump, it is unclear whether Israel will give the green light due to high tensions with Ankara over Gaza.
Washington is reportedly pushing for the contingent to have a UN mandate without being a fully-fledged UN peacekeeping force. It would operate with the same powers given to international troops deployed in Haiti to combat armed gangs.
To move the deal forward and work toward opening the second phase, which concerns the disarmament of Hamas and the authority that will administer Gaza, the White House is ready to send US Vice President JD Vance to Israel starting tomorrow.
He will be joined at some point by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The Trump administration remains confident in the future of peace, despite the difficulties and after Witkoff and Kushner admitted that they felt betrayed by Netanyahu over the Qatar raid.
There is now hope of turning the page, although Hamas told Reuters that the group aims to maintain security control in Gaza for 5 years and has no intention of committing to disarmament for the time being.
But Netanyahu responded immediately: "Hamas must disarm, without 'ifs,' 'ands,' or 'buts.' Time is running out."
Bibi is already looking ahead to the 2026 elections, warning that "I will run in the next elections and I will win."
Tensions remain high, despite the ceasefire.
An Israeli navy ship fired warning shots yesterday at several Palestinian vessels that were "violating the naval blockade and posing a threat" off the southern coast of the Strip. In Gaza City, an Israeli tank hit a minibus that had crossed the yellow withdrawal line, killing 11 people.
Many Palestinians without internet access are unaware of where the IDF is actually positioned.
This is also why Israel has announced that the yellow lines will soon be marked with physical markers.
To proceed with the second phase of the agreement, the first phase must end with the return of all deceased hostages, whose extraction from the rubble could take several more days. Surprisingly, last night Hamas returned two more bodies to the Red Cross.
If DNA tests confirm that they are indeed two kidnapped individuals, the group will now have 16 bodies in its possession.
While awaiting everyone's return, Israel has confirmed the closure of the Rafah border crossing, essential for the entry of aid, which, according to Oxfam, is still arriving in "merely symbolic" quantities.
But for Hamas, "the decision is a violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement."
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