Why Trump’s Proposed Stabilisation Force in Gaza Will Not Find Things Easy, Pg13.

Key Highlights:

• Trump’s plan consists of two parts:
• An immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, including release of hostages and prisoners.
• A long-term Gaza peace framework involving Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and creation of the ISF.
• The ISF would include Arab and international partners under a “Board of Peace” to temporarily administer Gaza before transfer to a Palestinian authority.
• The U.S. envisions the ISF operating “immediately” after the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) withdraw, ensuring demilitarisation and security.
• Experts highlight deep skepticism regarding Arab participation, Israeli trust deficit, and Hamas’ rejection of foreign troops.

Detailed Insights:

• Nature of the ISF:
  • Intended as a neutral, multinational force to stabilise Gaza, train Palestinian law enforcement, and oversee humanitarian corridors.
  • It would function similarly to previous peacekeeping missions like UNIFIL (Lebanon) or ISAF (Afghanistan).
• Political Obstacles:
  • Israel refuses full withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas’ complete demilitarisation—something Hamas strongly opposes.
  • Arab nations are reluctant to lead a U.S.-designed force without a clear two-state roadmap.
  • The U.N. Security Council remains divided, especially with possible Russian and Chinese vetoes.
• Operational Risks:
  • Deploying troops in Gaza’s densely populated areas risks civilian casualties and asymmetric attacks.
  • Lack of consensus on command structure and mandates makes long-term coordination difficult.
• Historical Precedents: Earlier multinational forces (like NATO’s ISAF in Afghanistan and UNIFIL in Lebanon) struggled amid local resistance and absence of unified political backing.
• Palestinian Division: Hamas governs Gaza separately from the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank, complicating administrative continuity.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Peacekeeping Forces: Multinational deployments authorised by the UN or coalitions to monitor ceasefires, disarm groups, and facilitate humanitarian aid.
• Demilitarisation Framework: Process of disbanding armed factions and collecting weapons to ensure civilian security post-conflict.
• Two-State Solution: Vision of an independent State of Palestine coexisting with Israel—a precondition for long-term stability in the region.