Italy is debating sending troops to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) expected to be deployed in Gaza during the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, sources told The Jerusalem Post.
This makes Italy the first European country to seriously consider contributing troops to the ISF.
In recent days, talks have been taking place -mainly at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC)- to define the mandate and authorities of the force, including the chain of command and rules of engagement. Only after these are finalized will it become clear which countries will send troops.
According to several sources, the current assessment is that the peacekeeping force’s mandate will ultimately state that it will not engage in direct disarmament operations against Hamas.
Instead, it will function more as a “peace force” that may destroy terrorist infrastructure but will not directly confront the organization.
US President Donald Trump wants the force and its participating countries to be announced by Christmas, or at the latest by the beginning of next year, according to a source familiar with the details.
Tony Blair will not be part of Board of Peace
Meanwhile, it appears that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will not be part of the Board of Peace (BOP). President Trump is expected to announce the council's members in the coming days, who will include heads of state, according to two sources who spoke with The Post.
According to a Financial Times report, the reason for Blair’s exclusion is opposition from Arab and Muslim countries, who view him as responsible for the 2003 Iraq War.
In addition, it is unclear whether Blair will lead the body known as the “Management,” which will operate under the BOP but above the technocratic government expected to administer Gaza, a body Trump wants announced by the end of the year. According to the Financial Times, a possible candidate to head this body is Nikolay Mladenov, the former UN envoy to the Middle East.