Report: Trump's Plan to Deploy International Force in Gaza Faces Implementation Hurdles

SadaNews - The Washington Post reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to deploy an international force in the Gaza Strip, despite its endorsement in the Security Council, faces significant implementation challenges, given the difficulty of securing military contributions from concerned states and increasing fears of the troops engaging in clashes with Palestinians.

The newspaper cited a source familiar with U.S. planning as saying that the force could include three brigades, or about 15,000 troops, while another source estimated the number at 20,000 soldiers. However, uncertainty still surrounds deployment details, rules of engagement, and field missions.

An American official confirmed to the Washington Post that logistical support and training could take several weeks after confirming participating countries, while Washington hopes to begin deployment early in 2026. However, the list of potential countries remains unstable, and no definite commitments have been made so far.

In this context, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry clarified that the figure of 20,000 soldiers reflects the general readiness of its peacekeeping forces and does not represent a direct commitment to Gaza.

Officials estimate that the initial deployment may be limited to 1,200 troops, requiring six months to be ready.

Another Indonesian official noted that some officers expressed reluctance to participate, fearing involvement in armed clashes with Palestinian factions.

As for Azerbaijan, it informed the Washington Post that it would only send forces if fighting completely ceased.

For its part, the Italian government stated that it is considering the best ways to contribute to the international force, noting its readiness to expand training programs for Palestinian police and study participation in demining operations.

According to the Washington Post, the Gaza plan is still in its early stages and faces a state of international anticipation amidst a lack of the desired enthusiasm, raising questions about the chances of its implementation within the timeline set by the Trump administration.