“Oslo on Steroids”: Bennett Warns Foreign Control of Gaza Would Threaten Israel’s Security

Former PM Naftali Bennett rejects foreign or multinational security oversight in Gaza

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett sharply warned on Thursday against transferring security responsibility in Gaza to foreign or multinational forces, saying such a move would put Israel’s security at risk.

Bennett specifically criticized proposals that would involve Qatar and Turkey, arguing that surrendering security control to outside actors would repeat—and amplify—the mistakes of the past.

“Handing control over our fate to Qatar, the financier of Hamas, and to Erdogan is Oslo on steroids,” Bennett said.

Invoking the October 7 attacks, he cautioned Israelis not to become complacent. “We must not fall asleep and hope for the best,” he said, stressing that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) need the freedom to act preemptively.

He argued the IDF must retain operational freedom “to mow the grass, to deal with threats when they are small, before they turn into terror monsters like we saw in the South and the North.”

Bennett also questioned reports that Israeli military operations could be subject to external oversight.

“How did we reach a situation where our soldiers need to request approval from the American headquarters in Kiryat Gat? The State of Israel is not a protectorate,” he asked.

Calling for transparency, Bennett demanded the immediate publication of any commitments and concessions being negotiated “behind the backs of Israel’s citizens,” and asked for clarity about both the stated and hidden motives behind decisions that would limit Israel’s security prerogatives.

“The citizens of Israel deserve full transparency regarding their security,” he concluded.