As the Gaza conflict shows signs of entering a new phase, former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed deploying an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. The plan, part of his wider 20-point peace proposal, seeks to address security, governance, and reconstruction challenges in the enclave. Below is a summary of what is currently known about the proposal — and the obstacles it faces.

The Concept and Mission

The International Stabilization Force is envisioned as a multinational security deployment composed of Arab and international partners. Its stated aims include:

Providing internal security in Gaza, particularly in formerly contested areas.
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Training and supporting a new Palestinian civil police force.
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Overseeing the demilitarization and dismantling of Hamas’ military infrastructure (such as tunnels and weapon caches).
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Facilitating safe zones, protecting civilians, and enabling reconstruction and humanitarian access.
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Managing the staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in coordination with security benchmarks.
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Thus, the ISF is supposed to be a bridge: from wartime operations to stability, security, and reconstruction.

U.S. Role vs. Ground Deployment

Although the plan is U.S.-backed, the American military is not expected to deploy combat troops inside Gaza itself. Instead:

The U.S. will contribute staff and oversight, particularly through a civil-military coordination center.
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Up to 200 U.S. personnel are being dispatched to southern Israel near Gaza to help coordinate the force and monitor ceasefire implementation.
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The actual boots-on-the-ground deployment is likely to come from regional and international partners: Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, and potentially others like Pakistan, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan.
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The arrangement is intended to reassure stakeholders that the ISF is not a U.S. occupation but a regional security instrument under international direction.

Who Might Participate

Several countries are reportedly in talks to join the ISF:

Arab states already implicated include Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Among nontraditional contributors, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan have emerged as potential collaborators.
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Indonesia has already expressed willingness to contribute troops.
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No formal commitments have yet been announced, and several countries face legal, operational, and political hurdles in joining.
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Challenges, Doubts, and Critiques

The stabilization plan, even in its early conception, has drawn scrutiny and skepticism:

Critics ask whether the ISF can maintain impartiality, especially in a highly polarized environment.
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Some argue that key provisions remain vague, such as rules of engagement, coordination with Israeli security, and transitions to local authority.
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The demilitarization of Hamas — essential to the plan — is a politically fraught demand.
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Infrastructure damage, unexploded ordnance, and collapsed tunnels may make parts of Gaza inaccessible or dangerous for deployment.
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The question of legitimacy looms large: Gaza’s political actors, including Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, may contest external control over security and governance.
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The Road Ahead

The ISF is a central pillar in Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace proposal, which links stabilization, reconstruction, and governance reform.
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In practice, the success of the ISF will depend on securing commitments from participating nations, establishing clear command structures, and navigating deep political resistance — both internal and external. It is not only a military project but a test of diplomatic resolve, legitimacy, and partnership in one of the region’s most complex conflict zones.