Deploying an international force in Gaza in early 2026

Two American officials said that international forces may be deployed in the Gaza Strip as soon as early next month as part of a stabilization force authorized by the United Nations, but how to disarm Hamas is still unclear.

The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the international stability force (ISFIt will not be tasked with fighting Hamas, and a large number of countries have expressed interest in participating.

Reuters quoted the two sources as saying that Washington is currently working to determine the size of the force, its formation, its housing and training headquarters, and its rules of engagement.

They indicated that Washington is considering appointing an American general with the rank of major general to lead the force, but no final decisions have been made yet.

The deployment of the international force is an essential pillar of the second phase of the peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump regarding Gaza, after the start of a fragile truce in the two-year-old war on October 10, which witnessed the release of hostages by Hamas and Israel’s release of Palestinian detainees.

White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt said: “There is a lot of quiet planning behind the scenes for this phase. We want to ensure a lasting and stable peace.”