A multinational team meant to help secure the Gaza Strip following the end of Israel’s war with Hamas will likely be headed up by Egypt, according to a report Saturday, which came as the US continued its efforts to shore up support for the mission.
The International Stabilization Force (ISF) is part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, and is intended to secure the Strip during a transitional postwar period, following Israel’s withdrawal and the disarmament of the Hamas terror group.
According to a report published by The Guardian on Saturday, the US and European powers are preparing a UN Security Council motion that would allow the stabilization force to act under a UN mandate without being considered a UN peacekeeping force — as Trump’s plan for the ISF does not envision it being a UN-led operation.
Citing unnamed diplomats, The Guardian reported that Egypt would likely lead the stabilization force, although Cairo has not issued any statements on the matter, having not yet publicly committed to contributing troops to the ISF.
Indonesia is the only country to date that has publicly offered to send troops for the effort, saying last month that it would send 20,000 soldiers to Gaza, while specifying that it would be under a UN-mandated peacekeeping mission.
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But the US has also been in talks with other countries to try and shore up support, and three government officials familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel on Saturday that Azerbaijan had also agreed to contribute troops to the ISF.
Azerbaijan’s embassies in the United States and Israel did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Azerbaijan soldiers stand guard at the Lachin checkpoint, on September 26, 2023. (Emmanuel Dunand / AFP)
Earlier this week, a senior Trump adviser said that many others, including “many of the different Arab and Muslim countries,” had privately committed as well to contributing troops.
During a multilateral meeting on the UN General Assembly sidelines last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Trump that Ankara was also prepared to send forces to Gaza, two sources familiar with the matter said.
It was unclear whether Israel would allow the presence of Turkish forces in Gaza, though, amid the collapse of ties between the two countries as a result of the war in Gaza.
With regard to other countries in the region, Arab officials have repeatedly told The Times of Israel that the United Arab Emirates and Qatar do not intend to send troops to secure Gaza but could still assist with funds or training.
The plans for the force, as detailed by The Guardian, were in line with former British prime minister Tony Blair’s plan for Gaza, revealed by The Times of Israel last month.
Blair’s plan envisions the establishment of the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), which would serve as the “supreme political and legal authority for Gaza during the transitional period.”
GITA would have a board made up of seven to 10 members, the developed draft of the plan obtained by The Times of Israel stated, among whom would be a qualified Palestinian representative, a senior UN official, leading international figures with executive or financial experience, and a “strong representation of Muslim members” to boost regional legitimacy and cultural credibility.
Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza involves the establishment of a board, dubbed “the board of peace,” in accordance with Blair’s vision.
Under Blair’s plan, the chair of the board would be expected to closely coordinate with the Palestinian Authority, although The Guardian reported Saturday that the exact relationship between the “board of peace” and the PA had not yet been determined.
While Israel has been vehemently opposed to the PA playing a role in postwar Gaza, a source familiar with discussions said last month that it was nevertheless engaging constructively with Blair’s vision.
The PA is expected to undergo significant reforms before being entrusted with playing any significant role in Gaza’s future.
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