Post by : Saif Rahman

The United States is gearing up for the deployment of an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip as soon as next month, according to U.S. officials. This initiative, approved by the United Nations, will be part of a broader strategy aimed at establishing peace in Gaza, although crucial questions about the disarmament of Hamas remain unresolved.

According to two U.S. officials, the proposed International Stabilization Force will primarily be stationed in areas currently under Israeli control. The mandate will not include direct combat against Hamas; rather, the force's mission is to stabilize the region and support security alongside newly trained Palestinian police forces.

Numerous countries have expressed interest in contributing to this mission, with ongoing discussions about its size, troop contributions, training logistics, and operational rules. An American military general with a two-star rank is being considered to lead this initiative, though no final decision has yet been made.

A meeting is scheduled for December 16 in Doha, hosted by the U.S. Central Command, where partner nations will discuss the planning of this force. Over 25 countries are expected to participate, focusing on command structure and coordination.

This deployment is viewed as a critical element of U.S. President Donald Trump's second phase of the Gaza peace plan, which was initiated on October 10 with a ceasefire following two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Since that time, Hamas has released hostages, while Israel has let go of Palestinian detainees.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt noted that planning is underway to ensure that this next phase culminates in sustainable peace. The overarching aim is to transition from a temporary ceasefire to enduring stability.

Indonesia has already pledged to contribute up to 20,000 troops, focusing on healthcare and reconstruction rather than combat roles. Their Defence Ministry emphasized that early-stage preparations are underway to outline the structure of the units to be deployed.

Currently, Israel holds approximately 53% of Gaza, while the majority of the nearly two million residents reside in areas governed by Hamas. Under the proposed plan, the international force would first be deployed to Israeli-controlled regions. As stability is established, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw incrementally, aligned with specific demilitarization timelines.

The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution in November to establish a Board of Peace to oversee this initiative. This resolution allows the international force to facilitate Gaza's demilitarization, including dismantling military assets and preventing armed groups from re-arming.

However, U.S. officials recognize that the disarmament of Hamas remains a significant challenge. Although the U.N. mandate permits the use of force when necessary, rules of engagement will vary by contributing country.

Hamas has claimed that disarmament was not formally addressed with mediators, asserting that they will not relinquish their weapons until a Palestinian state is recognized. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown support for a multinational force but remains skeptical about its capacity to tackle all security concerns.

This proposed deployment signifies a collective international effort to stabilize Gaza after prolonged conflict, yet its effectiveness hinges on cooperation among all involved parties and clear delineation of security responsibilities.

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