JERUSALEM, Officials from the Board of Peace have announced that an International Stabilization Force (ISF) and a newly established Palestinian police force will gradually enter the Gaza Strip alongside the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) as part of a proposed post-conflict governance and security framework.
During a media briefing, Board of Peace officials outlined a phased plan aimed at supporting civilian governance, maintaining public order, and facilitating the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
International Force to Support Security Transition
According to a US official participating in the briefing, the Board of Peace has secured commitments for approximately 5,000 troops from several countries.
Officials said representatives from Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, and Kazakhstan have already arrived in Israel in preparation for the eventual deployment, while discussions continue with additional countries that may join the multinational force.
Role of the International Stabilization Force
The International Stabilization Force will be tasked with:
- Supporting the training of the new Palestinian police force.
- Assisting in the decommissioning and secure storage of weapons.
- Positioning itself between Israeli forces and Palestinian communities during the phased Israeli military withdrawal.
- Helping maintain stability throughout the transition period.
Officials said the deployment would take place gradually in coordination with the establishment of the new civilian administration.
New Palestinian Police Force
A US official said training for the new Gaza police force has already begun.
However, most of the approximately 5,000 vetted recruits have not yet left Gaza, with officials attributing delays to ongoing logistical and operational challenges.
Board of Peace representatives also indicated that some members of Hamas’ existing police force could be integrated into the new policing structure after screening, while others may be assigned civilian positions unrelated to security.
“We do not want people to lose their livelihoods,” a Board of Peace official said, adding that the new governing committee must be able to operate independently and effectively.
Maintaining Law and Order
Under the proposed arrangement, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and the newly formed Palestinian police force would be responsible for:
- Maintaining internal security.
- Preserving public order.
- Enforcing civil law throughout the Gaza Strip.
- Responding to security incidents independently.
The proposed framework forms part of broader international efforts to establish a post-conflict governance structure in Gaza. However, implementation remains dependent on political agreements among the parties involved, and several aspects of the plan have yet to receive final approval.
