U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) [AP Yonhap News file photo]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressured his security cabinet to approve the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) into the Gaza Strip to secure a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Channel 12 reported on the 27th (local time).

According to the report, the White House had previously shown little interest in a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, instead conveying through diplomatic channels that a visit to Washington would require bringing home tangible diplomatic achievements.

Following discussions with Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yehiel Leiter and close aides to President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu selected the Gaza Strip as the stage to demonstrate such diplomatic results.

Channel 12 reported that "despite the fact that Hamas had not yet disarmed, Prime Minister Netanyahu pushed for the early submission and approval of the initial deployment of the ISF, which is part of a 'Board of Peace' initiative for the Gaza Strip, as an agenda item for the cabinet."

An Israeli official familiar with the security cabinet's deliberations stated, "Prime Minister Netanyahu pushed through this decision without batting an eye."

The official further noted, "This was a gesture toward Trump and a retreat from the security cabinet's previous precondition that Hamas must disarm before any international stabilization forces could enter the Gaza Strip."

Indeed, the Israeli security cabinet approved the initial entry of 200 ISF troops from allied nations the previous day to guard the perimeter of a pilot humanitarian zone to be established in Rafah, southern Gaza, in accordance with the Board of Peace initiative.

The International Stabilization Force is a multinational peacekeeping force established based on the Gaza Peace Agreement signed last October and UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

The force is tasked with overseeing the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, maintaining border security, protecting humanitarian corridors and civilians, and training a new Palestinian police force.

For security reasons, Prime Minister Netanyahu departed through an air force base rather than Ben Gurion International Airport without prior announcement. He is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington on the 28th.