In January 2026, an international stabilization force (ISF) could touch down in the Gaza Strip under a UN mandate, marking phase two of a contentious peace plan championed by U.S. President Donald Trump. While the ISF will not engage Hamas directly, key questions remain over how the militant group will be disarmed and what role contributing countries will play.
In Washington, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said planners are working quietly to deliver an “enduring and lasting peace.”
Building the Force
Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Washington is ironing out the ISF’s size, composition, housing, training and rules of engagement. More than 25 nations have expressed interest in joining, and the United States Central Command will host a planning conference in Doha on December 16, 2025. Sessions will cover command structure, logistics and operations, with an American two-star general under consideration to lead the mission.
Indonesia has already signaled readiness to deploy up to 20,000 troops focused on health services and reconstruction—tasks that could reshape Gaza’s battered infrastructure.
A Delicate Mandate
Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, said Palestinian factions have given initial approval for an international force as long as its mandate is limited to monitoring the ceasefire and separating the sides along the border. He reaffirmed that any talk of disarming the resistance is rejected, underscoring the challenge of moving toward the demilitarization goals outlined by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Humanitarian Risks as Rains Arrive
Meanwhile, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned on December 12, 2025 that nearly 795,000 displaced Gaza residents face extreme flood risk after torrential rains washed away tents and damaged shelters. At least 14 Palestinians have died due to exposure and building collapses, and insufficient drainage heightens the threat of disease outbreaks.
As world leaders plan the next steps for Gaza’s security, humanitarian agencies say they urgently need access for shelter materials, sandbags and medical supplies to protect families from both conflict and climate.
With international eyes on Gaza, the coming weeks will test the ability of global partners to balance stabilization efforts with the urgent relief needs of hundreds of thousands on the ground.
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U.S. officials say international troops could soon be deployed in Gaza
cgtn.com
