GAZA: Indonesia, Azerbaijan and several other Muslim-majority nations are among the leading contenders to contribute troops to a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, according to U.S. defense sources and former officials.
Negotiations are active, but no country has formally committed yet. The force is central to Trump’s peace plan, tasked with training vetted Palestinian police, supporting security operations, and assisting reconstruction efforts — all with no American boots on Gaza soil.
At the same time, the United States has deployed a support cadre of about 200 personnel to a newly established command center in Israel, which will manage logistics, coordination, and liaison roles as the stabilization force is assembled.
Ceasefire Tensions, Hostage Returns, and Local Infighting
Since the fragile ceasefire came into effect, Israel and Hamas have made some progress in prisoner exchanges, including returning the remaining 20 living hostages. However, the return of deceased captives has been slower; Israel has identified two more bodies, raising the total to 10.
Meanwhile, Hamas is reasserting control inside Gaza, reinstating internal policing roles often clashing with armed clans and accused collaborators.
The notable, reported in internal clashes, such as between Hamas and the Doghmush clan, as local groups challenge its dominance.
UN Backing, Diplomatic Hurdles, and Reconstruction Urgency
France and Britain are spearheading efforts at the United Nations to pass a Security Council resolution giving legal backing to the planned stabilization mission.
The proposed force would not fall under a classic U.N. peacekeeping mandate but would operate with Security Council authorization.
Diplomats warn that for the mission to move beyond this planning stage, contributors must resolve questions of command structure, rules of engagement, and coordination with Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.
On the ground, Gaza faces catastrophic damage: over half its buildings are damaged or destroyed, and a massive reconstruction task looms amidst shortages of materials, rubble, and basic infrastructure.
The U.S.-led coordination center is expected to become operational in coming days to oversee security, aid flows, and rebuilding operations.
