WASHINGTON/GAZA, 14 Dec. - (ANA) - The US State Department is seeking to assemble a multinational force of around 10,000 soldiers from dozens of countries as part of its International Stabilisation Force (ISF), aimed at overseeing Gaza as part of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

 

Washington has reportedly sent formal requests to around 70 nations it hopes to recruit troops from, but so far has had little success, officials told The Wall Street Journal on Saturday.

 

The State Department reportedly filed requests with countries such as Malta, Italy, France, and El Salvador on Monday.

 

Officials are hoping to recruit 10,000 by the end of 2026, but some others said that Washington is unlikely to recruit more than 8,000 army personnel.

 

Several Middle Eastern nations, and allies of the US, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are already working with Washington to secure funding for the deployment of soldiers to Gaza.

 

According to a US official cited by the Wall Street Journal, 19 of the 70 countries have so far expressed interest in providing equipment and logistical and transport support.

 

Several countries, however, are reportedly apprehensive about sending soldiers due to concerns that they could be tasked with disarming Hamas.

 

The topic of disarmament has proved to be a thorny issue, with Hamas rejecting demands that it lay down its weapons. The group, however, has said it was open to a weapons "freeze" instead.

 

On Wednesday, senior figure Khaled Mashal said in an interview with Al Jazeera that "the idea of total disarmament is unacceptable to the resistance [Hamas]."

 

"This is the idea we're discussing with the mediators, and I believe that with pragmatic American thinking ... such a vision could be agreed upon with the US administration," he continued.

 

Israel and the US have continuously demanded that the Palestinian group cede its arsenal. In October, Vice President JD Vance said that the force was "key to disarming Hamas".

 

The countries that are willing to participate in the peace plan’s task force have also insisted they operate within the Israeli-occupied areas of Gaza, behind the so-called yellow demarcation line that has split the enclave in two.

 

The Israeli army has killed several Palestinians, it alleges have attempted to cross the line. The demarcation line has also raised concerns among Palestinians that it will expand into more Palestinian territory and become a permanent border.

 

The US, however, is seeking to persuade such forces to operate within the Hamas-controlled areas as well, officials added.

 

The ISF is a peacekeeping force outlined in the US peace plan for Gaza, tasked with helping security, training a Palestinian police force, and overseeing the re-development of the Gaza Strip, battered by over two years of Israeli onslaught. It remains a key part of phase two of Trump’s peace plan.

 

On 17 November, the UN Security Council authorised Trump’s Board of Peace plan – a transitional international body to support Gaza’s administration and reconstruction – as well as the deployment of the ISF.  

 

On Friday, US officials told Reuters that international troops could be deployed in the Gaza Strip as early as next month.

 

More than 25 countries are expected to meet in the Qatari capital Doha next week for talks on the force’s composition and other topics related to the mission, officials told the WSJ.

 

Indonesia said it was willing to deploy up to 20,000 soldiers to take part in health and reconstruction-related tasks in Gaza. Sources told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Italy is also committing to sending troops as part of the ISF mission.

 

A ceasefire has been observed in the Gaza Strip since 10 October, but Israel has continuously violated it by carrying out frequent strikes on the war-battered enclave.

 

 

 

 

At least 385 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since. On Sunday, Israel struck several parts of Rafah, Gaza City, and Khan Younis, and targeted several fishermen off the city’s coast.

 

The Palestinian enclave is also reeling from the deadly Storm Byron, which has killed at least 16 people, including three infants. Buildings, struck by Israel during the war, have also collapsed due to heavy rain and strong winds, killing several people.

 

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have had their tents partially or fully damaged by the storm, putting them at risk of homelessness.

 

Freezing temperatures and inadequate living conditions are also risking the resurgence and spread of illnesses and diseases, while Israeli authorities continue to obstruct the entry of aid and other necessities.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/14 December 2025 - - -