Gaza Herald — As part of Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, an International Stabilization Force (ISF) is proposed to deploy inside Gaza with the stated goal of providing security guarantees and overseeing the transition from conflict to reconstruction. But despite being presented as a central pillar of the so-called “post-war” framework, the ISF remains shrouded in ambiguity, sparking unease and unanswered questions about its mandate, composition, and true purpose.
According to Adel Abdel Ghafar, a senior fellow and director of the foreign policy and security program at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, the ISF is envisioned as a bridge from “conflict to stabilization to reconstruction.” Its stated objectives include protecting Gaza’s borders during Israel’s withdrawal, preventing what Israel calls “remilitarization,” training “vetted” Palestinian security forces, and assuring Palestinians that this is not a renewed occupation, but rather an initiative supported by “many Muslim countries.”
Yet, behind these diplomatic claims lies a troubling lack of clarity. “Is there a UN mandate to join this force? Who will command it? What are the rules of engagement? Which Palestinian forces are to be trained and by whom?” Ghafar asked. “The ISF is supposed to deploy once Hamas disarms. But how is that even going to happen?”
For many observers, the proposal mirrors earlier international interventions that offered political cover for Israeli objectives while sidelining Palestinian sovereignty. Without a clear mandate or defined accountability, critics fear the ISF could serve as a mechanism to cement foreign control rather than support Gaza’s self-governance.
“The first phase of the ceasefire postponed these questions,” Ghafar said. “But now, they must be answered.”
As discussions continue among potential contributors, reportedly including several Arab and Muslim states, the absence of transparency over the ISF’s scope and leadership raises fundamental doubts. Who will truly control Gaza under this “stabilization” framework: the people of Gaza, or the powers that have long dictated their fate from afar?
