The Palestinian presidency released a statement rejecting any administration of Gaza by international forces in response to statements by Israel calling for such a move, Anadolu Agency reports.

“There is no legitimacy for any foreign presence on Palestinian Territory, and only the Palestinian people can decide who governs them and manages their affairs,” said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the official spokesperson for the presidency.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted an unnamed security official as saying that the Israeli army will remain in the Gaza Strip until an international force is found to replace it, which could take several months.

Abu Rudeineh affirmed “the illegitimacy of colonies and the displacement policy that the occupation authorities were trying to implement on the ground through bloody massacres.”