Path to Stability: UN Plans International Force for Gaza Amid Rising Tensions

A UN Security Council resolution to deploy an international stabilization force in Gaza is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. However, delays may arise due to ongoing disputes concerning the force’s mandate, including the potential US military leadership, its collaboration with the Palestinian civil police force, and a timeline for Israeli military withdrawal. During a recent meeting in Istanbul, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, clarified that Muslim nations contemplating troop contributions would base their decisions on the mission and authority of the proposed International Stabilization Force. He emphasized, "If the mission conflicts with the principles and policies of the countries that will send troops, it will be difficult for these countries to send troops." Key issues under negotiation include US leadership of the force, mechanisms for resolving disputes with Israel, and whether Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would have a set timetable or be contingent upon the disarmament of Hamas. Notably, Turkey is prepared to provide troop support, a proposal that has been met with resistance from Israel due to Turkey's backing of Hamas. The Istanbul meeting attracted foreign ministers from countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, along with representatives from the UAE and Qatar. Egypt, often envisioned as a leading force in the initiative, was notably absent. Although Jordan has stated its unwillingness to send troops, it has expressed readiness to train a vetted Palestinian police force, tasked with maintaining law and order within Gaza. Despite this, uncertainty persists regarding the interaction between international and local forces. On the ground, violence in Gaza has escalated concerns regarding the fragile ceasefire, with recent clashes resulting in 115 fatalities and 352 injuries, marking the deadliest day since the ceasefire began on October 10. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently urged for expedited measures, stating, "We really need to fill the vacuum within the Gaza Strip for security and administration." Fidan lamented that Israel is frequently violating the ceasefire and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid, bringing the situation to a critical juncture. From a Western diplomatic perspective, there seems to be no significant opposition to the US taking the lead in the stabilization effort, provided they do not deploy ground troops. The diplomat noted, "I don’t think any of the countries will participate unless the Americans are heavily involved in a leadership role, because otherwise people will think there is no constraint on the Israelis." Concerns loomed among Muslim nations about their forces being perceived as engaged in peace enforcement rather than peacekeeping, as clarified by a diplomat present at the discussions. The stabilization force is anticipated to operate independently from a new US civil-military coordination center focused on humanitarian efforts. Efforts to establish a committee of Palestinian technocrats to oversee governance in Gaza are reportedly underway. However, challenges remain around Hamas’ disarmament, with Hamas asserting they will not disarm if it leads to violence against them by Israeli forces. The US and Israel have also diverged regarding their stance on Hamas’ delays in returning Israeli bodies, with speculation that some bodies may remain unrecovered amid the rubble of Gaza. Arab states have expressed mounting pressure for tangible progress to avoid a security vacuum. Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, stressed the urgency of a clear timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, highlighting that Israel cannot expect security while maintaining a military presence. Safadi emphasized the necessity of establishing a deconfliction mechanism while acknowledging that the stabilization force should not impose policing on the Palestinian community. Another Western diplomat indicated that concerns regarding Palestinians' living conditions post-ceasefire are deeply troubling, although they refuted claims of a US strategy aimed at allowing Israel to segregate Gaza. The diplomat added, "Most people do not give this a huge chance of success, but things are moving along much better than anticipated." The sentiment among Gazans is the desire for an international presence that supports a Palestinian government rather than an international takeover. Meanwhile, without an international element to ensure security and governance, the prospects for meaningful rebuilding in Gaza remain bleak as the current conditions persist. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2