Washington: The United States is spearheading efforts to deploy a United Nations-authorized international stabilization force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip as early as January 2026, according to senior U.S. officials familiar with planning efforts. The move represents a significant escalation in international involvement aimed at consolidating a fragile ceasefire and laying the groundwork for long-term stability in the Palestinian enclave.
The proposed ISF is a central component of the next phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which follows a fragile truce that began on October 10 after two years of intense conflict between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas. Under the initial phase, Hamas released hostages while Israel freed Palestinian prisoners, but the core issues of security, governance, and reconstruction remain unresolved.
U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing negotiations emphasized that the stabilization force would not directly engage in combat against Hamas militants. Instead, the ISF’s mandate would focus on supporting security, demilitarization and reconstruction efforts, working alongside newly vetted Palestinian police and international partners to build a stable environment.
However, one of the most challenging elements of the plan remains how to address the presence of Hamas’s armed wing. Hamas leaders have consistently rejected formal disarmament unless a fully recognized Palestinian state is established, complicating the mission’s core objective of demilitarizing Gaza.
A broad swath of countries has expressed preliminary interest in contributing to the ISF, though exact commitments and troop contributions have yet to be finalized. Indonesia, for example, has indicated readiness to supply up to 20,000 personnel tasked with humanitarian support, health services and reconstruction activities underscoring the diverse nature of roles expected within the force.
The United States is also considering the appointment of a two-star American general to command the multinational force, though final decisions on leadership and overall structure remain under discussion. Detailed negotiations are underway regarding the force’s size, composition, deployment locations, housing, training and especially its rules of engagement, including whether and how it could use force if necessary to fulfill its mandate.
To accelerate planning, the U.S. Central Command will host an international conference in Doha on December 16, bringing together representatives from more than 25 nations to discuss the command structure and operational framework for the stabilization force. This conference aims to transition planning into actionable deployment timelines and operational cooperation.
The deployment plan is backed by a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council in mid-November, which authorized the formation of an ISF and established a transitional “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s governance and redevelopment. This board is expected to be formally announced early next year, with invitations extended to world leaders interested in participating.
Despite international momentum, considerable obstacles remain. Key questions about the demilitarization process, the force’s authority to counter non-state armed groups, and the political acceptance of foreign troops on the ground are unresolved. Israeli leaders have welcomed the concept of a multinational force but expressed skepticism about its capacity to fully achieve disarmament objectives. At the same time, Hamas continues to resist measures it perceives as undermining Palestinian sovereignty.
Moreover, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with displaced civilians facing further hardship from seasonal flooding and blocked aid supplies, highlighting the acute need for stability and reconstruction alongside security arrangements.
As 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on whether the international coalition can translate diplomatic resolutions into a functioning force capable of stabilizing Gaza and laying the groundwork for lasting peace.