Gaza force composition critical

Setting up the 5000-strong international stabilisation force (ISF) envisioned by Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan was never going to be easy. It has become more complex after the warning by King Abdullah of Jordan, likely a major contributor to the force, that if its mandate turns out to be peace-enforcing instead of peacekeeping, then “nobody will want to touch that”.

Given such uncertainty and the critical importance of what goes on in Gaza to Israel’s security, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has every right to insist the Jewish state should have a veto over composition of the ISF.

“Countries that want or are ready to send armed forces should be at least fair to Israel,” he said, warning that troops from Turkey, whose Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hostile to Israel, would not be allowed to participate.

Anti-Hamas militias operating in areas under Israeli control have reinforced the warning by Mr Sa’ar, declaring forces from Turkey and Qatar, the latter one of Hamas’s most prominent financial backers, must be barred. Hossam al-Astal, militia leader in Gaza’s Khan Younis area, claims Turkey “supports Hamas and protects Hamas”.

His militia considers Turkey and Qatar “war criminals”. Mr Trump has mentioned both as likely participants in the force, so it remains to be seen whether Israel’s rejection of them can be sustained.

What should not be in doubt is Israel’s right, after two years of catastrophic war started by Hamas, to ensure the ISF is not made up of soldiers from countries intent on Israel’s destruction. Gaza’s strategic importance demands nothing less than uncompromising vigilance by Israel. Given the way Hamas has entrenched itself and is continuing to govern parts of Gaza from which Israel has withdrawn, the need is to get the ISF on the ground without delay.