A proposal backed by Washington to deploy an international military force in Gaza has been firmly rejected by the local resistance leadership, who warn that any foreign presence imposed without the consent of the Palestinian people would merely extend the occupation under a new banner. The statement follows reports of U.S. efforts to secure a United Nations mandate for a so-called “Peace Mission” to govern Gaza from early 2026, with powers to enforce demilitarisation and dismantle local defence infrastructure.

Leaders in Gaza have dismissed the idea as illegitimate and dangerous, arguing that security and governance in the enclave must remain in Palestinian hands. They point out that the same powers proposing this mission have remained silent in the face of ongoing genocidal acts and widespread destruction inflicted upon Gaza’s population. Replacing occupation forces with an externally imposed military body, they argue, would only formalise Gaza’s subjugation under an international façade rather than restore genuine sovereignty.

Officials within the enclave note that the ceasefire, declared weeks ago, has already been violated nearly two hundred times, a sign that trust in external guarantees has eroded beyond repair. For many, the suggestion of a foreign “executive force” reinforces the perception that global powers seek to manage Gaza’s future without addressing its people’s right to self-determination. Instead of restoring peace, such a move risks deepening divisions and prolonging Gaza’s suffering under continued control.