Smotrich, Strock push Netanyahu to bar ISF from operating in Gaza before Hamas disarmament

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Missions Minister Orit Strock have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent the entry of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) into the Gaza Strip until Hamas is fully disarmed and the area demilitarized. Their appeal comes ahead of a cabinet meeting, following Strock's observation of significant preparations for the ISF's deployment at the Life Support Area Endurance camp. The ministers claim the camp, which currently houses infrastructure for 1,500 soldiers and a fleet of vehicles for 1,000, is being prepared for a much larger force of approximately 5,000 soldiers, with preparations expected to conclude within weeks. Smotrich and Strock warned, "We must not reach a situation where the ISF, of such a huge scale, will be ready and willing to enter the Gaza Strip, and enormous pressure will be exerted on Israel to allow its entry, even though the demilitarization has not yet been carried out." They argue these preparations are for a force larger and with a different aim than what was presented to the cabinet, occurring while Hamas shows no willingness to disarm.