Egypt is expected to lead the international stabilization force within Gaza, the Guardian reported on Saturday, citing diplomats familiar with the matter.
This comes as a European and US-backed UN Security Council motion works to prep the international force to be robust enough to control Gaza’s security.
Turkey, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan are expected, alongside Egypt, to be the main contributors of troops inside the Gaza Strip. Cairo is being consulted on whether or not the operation should be fully UN-led.
Egypt could lead Gaza stabilization force
European and US troops are not expected to be involved on the ground. However, the UK has sent advisers to the US advisory cell in southern Israel.
The Guardian reported that the US’s plan for the Palestinian enclave would mirror that of peacekeeping forces in Haiti. The US reportedly wishes for UN backing without a full UN armed force.
The UK is pushing for the final outcome to be a Palestinian state, which must eventually include East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and act as a single entity.
The Guardian went on to state that the UK has been training a Palestinian police force, but noted that the international force would take on the responsibility of keeping Gaza secure under the proposal.
If the internationally backed force is effective, the IDF will withdraw further from Gaza but will maintain a buffer zone to protect its southern border.
British diplomats told the Guardian that the most difficult aspect thus far was forcing Hamas to disarm. The UK is reportedly suggesting strategies it used during the peace process in Northern Ireland, where it put IRA weapons beyond use through an independent verification body.
The report noted that Hamas could likely say that it would only give its weapons over to a Palestinian-led body, but that third parties could be used to verify this for Israel.