• Extendable two-year mandate proposed for International Stabilisation Force
• Three-phase plan to involve stabilisation, reconstruction and political solution
• Draft doesn’t propose ‘peacekeeping status’ for global force

WASHINGTON: A US document, outlining the creation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, has triggered intensive informal consultations among UN Security Council members and Muslim states expected to contribute troops, marking the most significant international initiative for the Palestinian territory since Oct 2023, when Israel invaded the enclave.

On Monday, Washington circulated the document among several Council members, proposing a mandate of at least two years, until December 2027, along with the possibility of extensions.

Pakistan, a current UNSC member, is among the states involved in the discussions. Diplomatic sources stressed that the document is not yet a draft resolution as no formal proposal has been tabled.

UN diplomats described the initiative as “the most significant international effort yet to shape Gaza’s post-war security landscape”.

Senior diplomats from the eight-country Muslim bloc — Pakistan, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar — are holding separate consultations in Washington and New York to coordinate positions ahead of the resolution’s likely submission.

According to diplomatic sources, the ISF would operate under a unified command in close coordination with Israel and Egypt, alongside a newly trained and vetted Palestinian police force.

Its primary task would be enforcing Gaza’s demilitarisation — preventing the reconstruction of military infrastructure and permanently decommissioning weapons held by non-state armed groups.

The mission is envisioned in three phases: stabilisation, reconstruction and solution.

The first phase would involve enforcing the ceasefire, securing borders, protecting civilians and humanitarian corridors, and establishing operational frameworks for aid distribution and security coordination.

The second phase would include rebuilding essential infrastructure and restoring utilities, while enabling the safe return of displaced people.

The third phase aims at finding political solutions, involving reconstitution of local governance structures and coordination with the Palestinian Authority.

The ISF would also train Palestinian police, assist humanitarian agencies, and undertake “additional tasks as may be necessary in support of the [peace] plan”.

Notably, the draft does not invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter, meaning the ISF would not have the same legal status as other UN peacekeeping missions.

Securing humanitarian corridors is also expected to be a key priority for the ISF, as Gaza remains in a humanitarian crisis, with thousands displaced and critical infrastructure damaged.

Aid agencies have warned that without secure access, essential supplies cannot reach vulnerable populations.

The ISF will also need to balance enforcement tasks with local sensitivities, Israel’s security concerns, and coordination among a diverse group of troop-contributing countries.

Israel has said it will not accept a UN “blue-helmet” force, with a precedent-setting UNIFIL-style mandate, in the area. Arab states, including Jordan and Egypt, have emphasised a preference for “peacekeeping” rather than “enforcement”.

The US plans to formally submit the resolution in the coming days, with a Security Council vote possible shortly thereafter.

Deployment is targeted for early 2026, subject to adoption and troop-contribution commitments. Preparatory training, coordination with humanitarian agencies, and logistical arrangements would follow swiftly after approval.

Diplomatic observers in Washington acknowledge that participation could enhance Pakistan’s international standing and support stabilisation in Gaza. But they also warn that critics may question involvement in an enforcement-oriented mission, highlighting risks to personnel and the importance of maintaining perceived neutrality.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025