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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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U.S. officials have circulated a draft U.N. Security Council resolution for setting up an international force in the Gaza Strip for at least the next two years, according to reports by Axios and Israeli media.
Newsweek contacted the U.S. State Department for comment outside normal office hours.
Why it Matters
Seeking a U.N. mandate for the International Stabilization Force (ISF) is an indication that the landmark deal brokered by President Donald Trump is advancing after agreement by Israel, Hamas and Arab countries to try to end the war in Gaza and potentially reshape the Middle East.
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The first parts of the agreement are nearing completion with the return of the remains of most Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian bodies after the Hamas release of living hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Steps toward deployment of the international force could help to maintain momentum as tensions continue with deadly Israeli strikes against what the army has said were threats to its forces.
What to Know
Media reported that the document circulated to Security Council members provided for the establishment of a force in Gaza for at least two years. It was labeled “sensitive but unclassified.”
“According to the draft, the ISF would be tasked with securing Gaza's borders with Israel and Egypt, protecting civilians and humanitarian corridors, and training a new Palestinian police force, with which it's to partner in its mission,” said Axios, which first published the news.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the force’s mandate would include the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip—a key demand of Israel and one to which Hamas has yet to clearly agree.
Axios said a U.S. official had stressed that the force would be an "enforcement force and not a peacekeeping force," and would be established in consultation with a “Board for Peace” to be chaired by Trump.
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The question of whether the force will ensure that Hamas and other Palestinian factions give up their weapons or just seek to keep the peace is an important one as it raises the possibility of confrontations involving the force—something it is unclear that participants would be ready for.
Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah was quoted by the Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic newspaper as saying senior officials were ready for Hamas to hand over only heavy weapons while retaining light weapons for internal security.
The first stages of the deal brokered by Trump are nearing completion. On Monday, Israel handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians, according to the Red Cross. That came a day after militants returned the remains of three Israeli hostages who had been taken to Gaza in the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, which started the devastating war.
What People Are Saying
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan quoted by Anadolu Agency: “What countries we’ve spoken with have said is this: they will decide whether or not to send troops based on the content of the definition in the resolution expected from the U.N. Security Council.”
Amichai Stein on Israel’s i24 news site: “From Israel's perspective, whose senior Israeli officials have held talks with the [Trump] administration on the issue, this is a draft resolution that leans toward its demands.”
Bishara Bahbah, head of the Arab Americans for Peace Committee, told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Washington will not permit this agreement to fail, regardless of Israeli objections.”
What Happens Next
Discussions will be held over the mandate of the force and the terms under which it will operate before it can be agreed upon by Security Council members. This will be a diplomatic challenge for the Trump administration, which will also need to convince participating countries in the force.
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