Two US Officials: Washington Seeks to Deploy International Forces in Gaza Early Next Year

SadaNews - Two US officials informed "Reuters" about the possibility of deploying international forces in the Gaza Strip at the beginning of next month to establish the stabilization force authorized by the United Nations. The methods for disarming the Hamas movement remain unclear.

The officials, who requested anonymity, declined to confirm that the international stabilization force would combat Hamas. They added that many countries had expressed interest in contributing and that US officials are currently working on determining the size, formation, locations, training, and rules of engagement for the international force.

The officials indicated that consideration is being given to appointing a two-star American general to lead the force, but no final decision has been made yet.

The deployment of this force is a key component of the next phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza. In the first phase, a fragile ceasefire began in the two-year war on October 10, during which Hamas released hostages while Israel freed Palestinian prisoners.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt told reporters on Thursday that "there is a lot of quiet planning going on behind the scenes right now for the second phase of the peace agreement... We want to ensure lasting and enduring peace."

Indonesia Prepares Forces

For its part, Indonesia announced its readiness to deploy up to 20,000 soldiers to undertake health and construction tasks in Gaza.

Rico Serraite, spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, said: "It is still in the planning and preparation stages. We are in the process of organizing the structure of the forces to be deployed."

Israel currently controls 53% of the Gaza Strip, while all of the approximately two million residents of the strip live in the remaining area controlled by Hamas.

The two US officials clarified that the plan, which is to be finalized by the so-called "Peace Council," stipulates the deployment of the international force in the area controlled by Israel.

According to Trump's plan, once the international force establishes its control and consolidates stability, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw "according to standards, phases, and timelines related to disarmament."

The UN Security Council resolution issued on November 17 empowered the "Peace Council" and cooperating countries to form the international force.

Trump revealed on Wednesday that the world leaders who will serve on the "Peace Council" will be announced early next year.

The Security Council mandated the international force to work alongside a recently trained and vetted Palestinian police to achieve security stabilization, "by ensuring a disarmament process in the Gaza Strip, including the destruction of military, terrorist, and offensive infrastructure and preventing its reconstruction, as well as the permanent disarmament of non-governmental armed groups." However, the precise manner of implementation is still unclear.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Walters indicated on Thursday that the Security Council authorized the international force to disarm Gaza by all necessary means, which implies the use of force.

Hamas reported that the issue of disarmament has not been formally discussed with it by the mediators, namely the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, and the movement's position remains that it will not disarm before the establishment of a Palestinian state.