US signals interest in Italy’s participation in Gaza International Stabilisation Force

The United States seeks to involve Italy in the Gaza International Stabilisation Force (ISF) as one of the founding members of the proposed coalition,  sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

The issue was raised during discussions held this week between the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Participants in the talks said that no final decision has yet been taken on Italy’s participation in the ISF and that any move will ultimately depend on the position adopted by the prime minister.

Sources stressed that the proposal does not envisage Italy deploying military personnel as part of the ISF. Instead, Italy’s potential role would focus on commitments related to training future Gazan police forces. In addition, Rome’s contribution would centre on leveraging its political influence with Arab states, Israel and the Palestinians, rather than on direct security involvement.

According to a US official responsible for regional affairs, several countries have already expressed interest in participating in Washington’s peace efforts in Gaza, and discussions with international partners are ongoing. At the same time, the official noted that Italy has expressed reservations about both the advisability of joining the ISF and the practical aspects of how such a force would be implemented, despite Rome’s broader political support for peace initiatives in the region.

The broader regional context was also referenced, with sources pointing to discussions held at the Davos Forum on peace efforts and the potential role of international initiatives in shaping the region’s future.

Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Meloni has indicated that the Italian government requires additional time to assess the proposal. Italy’s final decision on whether to join the International Stabilisation Force could therefore be delayed, depending on the evolution of negotiations and the outcome of internal evaluations.