Netanyahu insists Israel retains full control over security decisions in Gaza

• Netanyahu insists Israel retains full control over its security decisions, rejecting claims that the U.S. dictates its military or diplomatic actions in Gaza. He frames the U.S.-Israel alliance as a partnership of equals.
• Reports reveal Israel sought U.S. approval before a recent drone strike in Gaza – a shift from previous protocols – fueling speculation about increased American influence over Israeli operations.
• The White House’s proposed “International Stabilization Force” for Gaza faces hesitation from potential contributors (Egypt, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan) due to Hamas conflict risks. Netanyahu outright rejects Turkish involvement.
• After Hamas killed two Israeli soldiers, Israel responded with heavy airstrikes but quickly returned to ceasefire terms – allegedly under U.S. pressure. Hamas denies responsibility for the attack.
• Despite Netanyahu’s claims of independence, high-profile U.S. visits (VP JD Vance, Sec. Rubio) and joint decision-making highlight the complex power dynamic, leaving Gaza’s postwar governance – and Israel’s autonomy – unresolved.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Sunday. Oct. 26, Israel retains full sovereignty over its security decisions, including which international forces may operate in Gaza under a proposed ceasefire deal.

The statement comes amid growing scrutiny over the U.S.-Israel relationship, with critics questioning whether Washington is dictating military and diplomatic moves in Gaza. Netanyahu dismissed claims that either nation controls the other, framing their alliance as a partnership of equals.

Netanyahu’s remarks followed reports that Israel sought U.S. approval before conducting a targeted drone strike in Gaza on Saturday. The strike killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative allegedly planning an attack against Israeli forces. While such operations previously required only mid-level military authorization, recent coordination with U.S. officials has fueled speculation that Washington now exerts significant influence over Israeli actions.

“When I was in Washington, [people] said I control the American government, that I dictate its security policy,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting. “Now they claim the opposite – that the American administration controls me and dictates Israel’s security policy. Neither is true.”

The White House’s ceasefire proposal includes an “International Stabilization Force” to oversee Gaza’s transition from Israeli military control. However, potential contributors – including Egypt, Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan – remain hesitant due to concerns over clashes with Hamas. Turkey has also been floated as a possible participant, but Netanyahu has firmly rejected its involvement.

Tensions over Gaza’s future

The debate over Israel’s autonomy intensified after a deadly Hamas attack killed two Israeli soldiers in Rafah last week. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) retaliated with heavy airstrikes but quickly returned to ceasefire terms, reportedly under U.S. pressure. Hamas denied responsibility, claiming the incident occurred in an Israeli-controlled area where its operatives had no presence.

“We will not tolerate attacks against us; we respond at our discretion,” Netanyahu said. “We dropped 150 tons [of bombs] on Hamas and terror elements after the attack on our two soldiers.”

Despite Netanyahu’s insistence on independence, senior U.S. officials – including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio – visited Israel last week to monitor ceasefire compliance. Their presence reinforced perceptions of American oversight, though both nations publicly denied any imbalance in the relationship.

A delicate balancing act

The proposed international force remains contentious, with Netanyahu’s office ruling out Turkish troops and resisting Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel’s military operations continue under heightened scrutiny.

At a joint press conference with Vance, Netanyahu dismissed suggestions that Israel had become a U.S. “client state,” calling such claims “hogwash.” Vance echoed the sentiment, describing the U.S.-Israel bond as a partnership rather than domination.

According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, a client state is a country that is economically, politically or militarily dependent on and controlled by a more powerful nation, often serving its interests rather than its own sovereignty.

As diplomatic tensions simmer, Netanyahu vowed Israel would “continue to control our fate.” Yet with Washington deeply invested in Gaza’s postwar governance, the limits of Israeli sovereignty – and the future of U.S. influence – remain unresolved.

The evolving U.S.-Israel dynamic underscores the delicate balance between military coordination and national autonomy. While Netanyahu asserts Israel’s independence, the reality of joint decision-making suggests a more complicated relationship – one that will shape Gaza’s future and the broader Middle East.

Watch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating that Tel Aviv will remain “responsible for the security in Gaza” in this clip.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

TimesOfIsrael.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com