Negotiations to create an international peace mission in Gaza
Jordan and Egypt are among the countries that will most likely contribute significantly to the force that guarantees the ceasefire.
BarcelonaOf the 20 points of the call Trump plan to end the Gaza war, number 15 establishes that the "United States will work with its Arab and international partners to develop an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to be deployed immediately in Gaza." The idea has been circulating among foreign ministries in the region for some time—the Arab League formally proposed it last May—and it has been leaked to the press that its composition is one of the topics of discussion in the negotiations in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt. Its existence responds to the shared vision between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian National Authority should be responsible for Gaza's security once the Israeli army withdraws from the Strip.
Although the Trump plan does not set a timeframe for the international mission's arrival in Gaza, it can be understood that it will be soon, since the document determines that the Israeli army will "hand over" control of the Strip to the ISF as it withdraws from the enclave. In addition to taking charge of security in the Palestinian territory, the military force must train and provide support to a new police force in Gaza. To achieve this goal, the text mentions that the IEF must "consult" Egypt and Jordan, as they "have extensive experience in this field." Its tasks will also include preventing the entry of weapons into Gaza and ensuring the rapid and safe delivery of food and materials to rebuild the Strip.
The ultimate goal set by the Trump plan is for the new Gaza police force to take charge of security in Gaza, including border control, but always working in coordination with the IEF, Egypt, and Israel. Although the text does not explicitly state this, it can be inferred that the international peacekeeping mission will also play an important role in the Hamas disarmament process. Specifically, point 13 stipulates that "independent international inspectors" will monitor the surrender of weapons by the Palestinian Islamist militia. As part of this process, the agreement includes the destruction of tunnels and weapons factories. "There are many details surrounding the FEI, such as its functions, that are still unclear," says Timothy Kaldas, deputy director of the think tank TIMEP.
The role of the Palestinian National Authority
The idea of an international peacekeeping mission has probably not yet materialized because some Arab countries would have liked the Palestinian National Authority to play a central role in the administration of the Strip, including security. In fact, it has been leaked to the press that the agreement Trump presented to the world after his meeting with Netanyahu on September 29 is not the same as the one the White House resident had agreed to with his Arab allies, and one of the main differences was precisely the role of the Palestinian National Authority.
The other element of debate since the idea began to be discussed in foreign ministries is the nationality of the soldiers who will be part of the mission. The Middle East has a long history of foreign military occupations that have led to insurgencies and wars, and in every one of them, the occupier has ended up withdrawing with its tail between its legs. The latest and most notorious episode is the invasion of Iraq decided by President George W. Bush in 2003. Therefore, the list of capitals willing to send their troops is not very long.
As for its composition, it is assumed that both Jordan and Egypt, two countries neighboring Israel and with which it maintains diplomatic relations, will make a significant contribution. But other states have already publicly expressed their willingness to send their soldiers: Spain, Turkey, and Indonesia. In general, the intention is for the bulk of the soldiers to come from Arab and Muslim countries to avoid the notion that this is a new Western military occupation taking root, something that is likely, given that it will be a council led by Trump. and Tony Blair who will lead the Strip for an indefinite period.
However, according to the media Middle East EyeEgypt has asked Trump to include US soldiers in the IEF, as it wants Washington to be involved in tasks such as overseeing the disarmament of Hamas to strengthen the mission. However, it is unclear whether Trump will accept this, as they could become a target of the Palestinian resistance, especially if the peace process collapses. "Depending on the implementation of the peace plan, they could be seen as agents of the Israeli occupation and subject to attacks from one of the various armed factions in Gaza," Kaldas warns. For the time being, Washington will send 200 soldiers to verify compliance with the agreement, but they will do so from Israeli territory.
