International Stabilization Force

Last updated

International Stabilization Force
FoundedTBD
Type Multinational security deployment
NicknameISF
Commanders
Current
commander
TBA

The International Stabilization Force (ISF) is a proposed multinational security deployment outlined in a peace plan unveiled by US president Donald Trump in late September 2025 to end the Gaza War. The force would be established with Arab and international partners to help provide security, train a new Palestinian police force, and oversee the demilitarization and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip. The mission is intended to create a long-term internal security solution and facilitate Israel's staged withdrawal from the territory. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

The Gaza war began in October 2023 following a series of coordinated armed attacks carried out by Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

Proposals to deploy a multinational peacekeeping force in the Gaza Strip was initially proposed by former British Prime Minister in a draft peace plan developed in July 2025 which Blair discussed with US president Donald Trump and his adviser Jared Kushner in August 2025. [3] [4] Trump presented a 20-point peace plan to end the Gaza War in September 2025, which included provisions for an internationally supervised interim government for the Gaza Strip and an Arab-led multinational peacekeeping force. On 8 October, 2025 Trump announced that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators had agreed to accept the first phase of his proposed peace plan. [5] The agreement was signed by both parties the following day and came into effect on 10 October 2025.

Purpose

Map of proposed withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces from the Gaza Strip Map of trump plan for gaza.jpg
Map of proposed withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces from the Gaza Strip

Under the proposal, a multinational peacekeeping force, and locally recruited civilian police force would be deployed into the Gaza Strip accompanied by a withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces from the territory. The primary goal of the ISF is to create a secure, demilitarized, and "terror-free" Gaza that poses no threat to its neighbors. It would accomplish this by supporting the dismantling of Hamas' military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons production facilities. [6] [ better source needed ]

Core functions

As the ISF takes control and establishes stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from Gaza in a staged process based on agreed-upon milestones and timelines. A security perimeter would remain in place until Gaza is deemed secure. [7]

Preparations

Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) Kiryat Gat, Israel on Oct. 23, 2025 CENTCOM CMCC Israel 23 Oct 2025.webp
Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) Kiryat Gat, Israel on Oct. 23, 2025

Following the first phase of the Gaza war peace plan coming into effect on 10 October 2025, a multinational joint task force is to be established to monitor the ceasefire.

On 15 October, it was reported that about 25 US personnel were in the region serving in a coordination and oversight role for the international stabilization force which is starting to be constructed. [8]

On 17 October, it was reported that the US, UK and France were working on the text of a United Nations Security Council resolution which would give the ISF a mandate similar to the international secutity support mission in Haiti. [9]

A Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), under the leadership of Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command was set up shortly after the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 10 October 2025. The center aims to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance from international counterparts into Gaza.

Contributing nations

Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been named by a Trump adviser as countries that could contribute to the force. [10] Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, France, and Cyprus have also reportedly shown interest in contributing to the ISF. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

On 22 October 2025, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that no Turkish forces be deployed in the Gaza Strip as part of the ISF. [17]

On 23 October 2025, it was reported that Azeri and Indonesian troops may form the core of the ISF and that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had declined to contribute to the force. [18]

See also

References

  1. Magid, Jacob (2025-09-18). "Revealed: Tony Blair's US-backed proposal for ending the Gaza war and replacing Hamas". The Times of Israel. ISSN   0040-7909 . Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  2. Wintour, Patrick (2025-09-25). "Washington backing plan for Tony Blair to head transitional Gaza authority". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  3. Badshah, Nadeem (27 August 2025). "Tony Blair attends White House meeting with Trump on postwar Gaza". The Guardian.
  4. "Former UK PM Tony Blair could head Gaza transitional authority under UN mandate". The Arab Weekly. 2025-09-27. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
  5. "Gaza latest: Trump wants to 'rebuild Gaza' after 'historic day' - but avoids stance on Palestinian state". Sky News. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  6. https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000199-91d1-dc12-a5df-99dbab200000/92/aa/ba8288df45af907255ae16fafa34/blair-plan.pdf
  7. Gjevori, Elis. "Here's the full text of Trump's 20-point plan to end Israel's war on Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  8. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/planning-underway-international-force-gaza-says-us-adviser-2025-10-15/
  9. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/france-britain-refine-plans-un-gaza-force-resolution-2025-10-16/
  10. Staff, ToI (October 16, 2025). "Oct. 16: Government hostage envoy says Israel will increase pressure on Hamas to hand over remaining bodies" via www.timesofisrael.com.
  11. "US discussing Gaza 'stabilisation force' with 5 countries: Report". Al Jazeera . October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  12. "Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan in talks to provide troops for Gaza stabilization force". POLITICO. October 15, 2025.
  13. "ADF preparing to get Aussie boots on ground in Middle East". The Nightly. October 16, 2025.
  14. Sajid, Islamuddin (14 October 2025). "Dignity of Palestinians a primary concern for Pakistan, says premier, as Malaysia pledges peacekeepers for Gaza". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 18 October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  15. Contributor, Mark Kersten (October 15, 2025). "Carney has proposed Canadian peacekeepers in Gaza. Is that a good idea?". Toronto Star.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. "Cyprus seeks role in "international stabilisation force" in Gaza, President tells Euronews".
  17. Berman, Lazar (October 22, 2025). "PM's office says there will be no Turkish troops deployed in Gaza, after reports of clash with Egypt on matter" via www.timesofisrael.com.
  18. "Indonesia and Azerbaijan to lead Gaza Stabilization Force". October 23, 2025.