Trump Gaza Stabilization Force Faces Opposition

Disagreements have emerged over the mandate for the planned international stabilization force (ISF) in Gaza: several Arab states want it limited to keeping the peace and are refusing a demilitarization/disarming role envisioned in President Trump’s plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will decide which foreign troops are acceptable, has signalled opposition to a Turkish role, and Israel continues to control access to Gaza; the U.S. has ruled out sending its own soldiers. U.S. officials and senior diplomats have been visiting the region to shore up the ceasefire and discuss a possible U.N. resolution or international agreement to authorize the force, but it remains unclear which countries will commit troops despite Trump naming potential contributors including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia and Jordan. Tensions on the ground persist: Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire after an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp reportedly killed at least one person, and Hamas has not agreed to disarm. Trump warned Hamas it would “have a very big problem” if the ceasefire collapses, underscoring the fragility of arrangements over who will secure Gaza.