Journalism of Courage
The Donald Trump administration will present its resolution on Wednesday to members of the United Nations Security Council on an international stabilisation force in Gaza.
A US official told The Associated Press that the proposal would provide a mandate for the force for at least two years, marking the next step in President Trump’s plan to halt two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
Representatives for Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates will join the United States in a show of regional support, according to the official.
The draft also calls for the force to ensure “the process of demilitarising the Gaza Strip” and “the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups.
On Tuesday, Axios had reported that the draft states that the tasks for the international force would involve “protecting civilians,” and “training a new Palestinian police force.”
It envisions the ISF to have a broad role and take on “additional tasks as may be necessary in support of the Gaza agreement.
The force would involve troops from several participating countries and be established in consultation with the Gaza “Board of Peace,” headed by Trump.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Turkey’s MIT intelligence agency chief on Wednesday met Hamas’ negotiating team head Khalil Al-Hayya to discuss the path to be followed in implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire plan.
Reuters, citing Turkish security sources, reoprted that MIT chief Ibrahim Kalin met the Hamas delegation in Istanbul and they also discussed steps to ensure smooth operation of the ceasefire process and how to overcome existing problems.
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal came into effect on October 10, under which Hamas agreed to free all living and dead Israeli hostages. In exchange, Israel agreed to return 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and partially withdraw from the Gaza Strip. It also facilitated the resumption of aid to Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.
The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal is stuck in limbo over Hamas’ failure to return the remains of all the slain hostages. Both Hamas and Israel have also accused the other side of violating the ceasefire.
