Israel approves entry of International Stabilization Force into Gaza

Israel’s security cabinet has approved key legal measures allowing an International Stabilization Force (ISF), proposed under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, to enter the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli official said on July 26 that the force would operate “in full coordination with” the Israeli military, Al Jazeera reports.

Reuters reported that the ISF is expected to include 200 personnel from “friendly countries such as Uganda and Morocco.” No timeline has been announced for its deployment.

The Israeli cabinet also determined that Israel would have the authority to approve which countries could contribute forces to the mission.

The proposed force is part of a broader plan that also calls for the creation of an international Board of Peace to oversee Gaza’s administration and reconstruction, a technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave.

Nickolay Mladenov, director-general of the Gaza Board of Peace, welcomed the decision.

The approval comes amid continued reports of Palestinian casualties in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in October. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and 3,888 wounded since the agreement was implemented.

By Sabina Mammadli