International Stabilization Force
 | This article may contain unsourced predictions, speculative material, or accounts of events that might not occur. |
| International Stabilization Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | Mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on 17 November 2025 |
| Allegiance | Board of Peace |
| Type | Multinational peacekeeping force |
 |
|---|
The International Stabilization Force (ISF) is a United Nations mandated multinational peacekeeping force outlined in a Gaza peace plan agreed by Hamas and Israel in October 2025. The force's stated aims are to help provide security, train a new Palestinian police force, and oversee the demilitarization and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip.[1][2]
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 Tony Blair 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
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 Israel Defense 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]
- Core functions
The ISF mandate includes:[7]
- supporting demilitarization and destruction of terror infrastructure
- securing border areas with Israel and Egypt
- protecting civilians and humanitarian operations
- training vetted Palestinian police forces
- facilitating humanitarian corridors
- assisting the Board of Peace in monitoring the ceasefire
As the ISF takes control and establishes stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is required to withdraw from Gaza in a staged process based on agreed-upon milestones and timelines. A security perimeter is intended to remain in place until Gaza is deemed secure.[8]
Preparations
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.[9]
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 security support mission in Haiti.[10]
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.
On 3 November 2025, after Jordan and Germany declared that the ISF would need to have a UN mandate,[11] the United States submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council that would authorize the Stabilization Force for two years under the direction of a Board of Peace.[12][13] The draft underwent two further revisions before being adopted as United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on 17 November 2025.[14]
The Egyptian government began to establish a command centre for the ISF in El Arish in December 2025.[15]
Contributing nations
The Gaza peace plan envisions a 20,000-troop enforcement mission.[14]
Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been named by a Trump adviser as countries that could contribute to the force.[16] Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, France, and Cyprus have also reportedly shown interest in contributing to the ISF.[17][18][19][20][21][22]
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.[23]
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.[24]
On 20 November, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that France is willing to deploy 100 security personnel on Palestinian territory.[25]
Obstacles
Hamas, which continues to control roughly half of the Gaza Strip, has rejected any imposed international guardianship plan. Reportedly, many countries want to ensure their troops would be peacekeeping with the consent of all parties, as opposed to having to fight Hamas forces.[26][27]
See also
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees
- United Nations Truce Supervision Organization – UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East
- European Union Border Assistance Mission to Rafah – Civilian Crisis Management Mission in Gaza
- Temporary International Presence in Hebron – Civilian observer mission in the West Bank, 1994-2019
- List of non-UN peacekeeping missions
- List of United Nations peacekeeping missions
- Multinational Force–Ukraine – Proposed force for peace enforcement
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Badshah, Nadeem (27 August 2025). "Tony Blair attends White House meeting with Trump on postwar Gaza". The Guardian.
- ^ "Former UK PM Tony Blair could head Gaza transitional authority under UN mandate". The Arab Weekly. 2025-09-27. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "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.
- ^ https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000199-91d1-dc12-a5df-99dbab200000/92/aa/ba8288df45af907255ae16fafa34/blair-plan.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://jcfa.org/un-security-council-resolution-2803-and-the-comprehensive-plan-to-end-the-gaza-conflict/
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Planning under way for international force in Gaza, say US advisers". Reuters.
- ^ "France and Britain refine plans at UN for Gaza force resolution". Reuters.
- ^ "US circulates draft UN resolution seeking two-year mandate to govern Gaza, provide security". JNS. 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ Ravid, Barak (2025-11-03). "Scoop: U.S. seeks UN approval for Gaza security force with broad two-year mandate". Axios. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ https://x.com/BarakRavid/status/1985520826142376059 [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Security Council Authorizes International Stabilization Force in Gaza, Adopting Resolution 2803 (2025) | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". press.un.org.
- ^ https://www.newarab.com/news/stabilisation-force-hq-sinai-egypt-becomes-gazas-gate
- ^ "Oct. 16: Government hostage envoy says Israel will increase pressure on Hamas to hand over remaining bodies". The Times of Israel. October 16, 2025.
- ^ Rowlands, Lyndal; Mohamed, Edna; Siddiqui, Usaid; Magee, Caolán; Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian (October 15, 2025). "US discussing Gaza 'stabilisation force' with 5 countries: Report". Al Jazeera. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ^ "Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan in talks to provide troops for Gaza stabilization force". POLITICO. October 15, 2025.
- ^ Greene, Andrew; Curtis, Katina (October 16, 2025). "ADF preparing to get Aussie boots on ground in Middle East". The Nightly. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kersten, Mark (October 15, 2025). "Carney has proposed Canadian peacekeepers in Gaza. Is that a good idea?". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Cyprus seeks role in "international stabilisation force" in Gaza, President tells Euronews". CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ 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". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Kahana, Ariel (October 23, 2025). "Indonesia and Azerbaijan to lead Gaza Stabilization Force". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ https://www.tesaaworld.com/en/news/a-new-european-plan-for-gaza-training-palestinian-police-and-direct-french-intervention
- ^ "International troops won't want to enforce Gaza peace, says King of Jordan". BBC. 2025-10-27. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "Nations Hesitate to Send Troops to Gaza, Fearing Clashes With Hamas". The New York Times. 2025-10-21. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
