U.S. to name two-star general to command Gaza ISF as Trump readies Board of Peace
The Trump administration plans to appoint an American two‑star general to command a U.S.‑led Gaza International Stabilization Force as part of a second phase of a U.N.-backed ceasefire plan that would also install a technocratic Palestinian government overseen by a “Board of Peace” led by President Trump, with former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov floated as the Board’s on‑the‑ground representative. Germany and Italy have been invited to join the board and countries including Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have been mentioned as potential ISF contributors, but participation, command structure, rules of engagement and Hamas disarmament remain unresolved, and officials say year‑end timelines hinge on outstanding issues such as returning the last hostage’s remains and addressing ongoing aid and security shortfalls.
📌 Key Facts
- The Gaza ceasefire is at a "critical moment" as phase one winds down; it remains a pause rather than a full ceasefire and the second phase has not yet begun, with its start tied in part to Hamas returning the remains of Israeli Master Sgt. Ran Gvili.
- Phase two envisions an international Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, a technocratic Palestinian government overseen by an international "Board of Peace" led by President Trump, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal; Tony Blair has been floated and the U.S. has proposed former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov as the Board's on‑the‑ground representative.
- The Trump administration plans to appoint an American two‑star general to command the Gaza ISF, and U.S. officials say the composition of the ISF, Board of Peace and technocratic government remain under discussion.
- U.S. officials maintain there will be no U.S. combat troops deployed inside Gaza, though a U.S. official predicted "boots on the ground" for the ISF (from partner countries) in early 2026; the U.S. is already running a civil‑military headquarters in Israel to oversee ceasefire and aid coordination.
- Potential ISF and Board participants include countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Germany and Italy, but no firm commitments or command structure have been finalized and Turkey has publicly questioned participation and said Israel rejects Turkish involvement.
- Humanitarian deliveries are well below the ceasefire target — AP analysis of Israeli COGAT figures shows about 459 trucks/day versus a 600/day target, with the U.N. reporting only ~6,545 trucks offloaded (~113/day) due to insecurity, customs, crossing delays and internal bottlenecks; Israel has temporarily halted aid at least once over alleged truce violations.
- Violence and security incidents have continued during the pause: Palestinian health officials report at least 376 people killed since the Oct. 10 truce; Shifa Hospital reported recent airstrike deaths and the IDF said soldiers killed militants who crossed a "yellow line," which Israel’s chief of staff described as a new defensive border.
- Major political and operational frictions remain: Hamas threatens not to move to phase two unless Israel fully implements phase one (including opening key crossings and halting strikes), Hamas resists disarmament, and partners are divided over ISF rules of engagement and command — all complicating the plan to appoint an international oversight body expected by year‑end.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 47% of the population in Gaza is under the age of 18, contributing to a youthful demographic structure that may influence social stability and reconstruction efforts.
The World Population Day, 11/07/2025 — Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The unemployment rate in Gaza surged to nearly 80% in 2024, with the overall Occupied Palestinian Territory rate at 51.1%, exacerbating economic instability and poverty.
A year of war: Unemployment surges to nearly 80 per cent and GDP contracts by almost 85 per cent in the Occupied Palestinian Territory — International Labour Organization
Gaza's economy collapsed by 83% in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million people into poverty, with GDP per capita falling to $161.
Gaza's economy collapsed 83% in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million people into poverty — United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
As of end-July 2025, 61,158 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with a significant portion being children and women.
Palestinian fatalities in Gaza War 2025, by broad age and gender — Statista
Historical deployments of international peacekeeping forces in conflict zones like Lebanon in 1982 have often been unsuccessful due to challenges in maintaining security and political stability.
How an international security force in post-war Gaza could work — The Conversation
In 2022, GDP per capita in Israel was approximately fourteen times higher than in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting significant economic disparities that persist into 2024 amid ongoing conflict.
The Economic Foundation for Peace in Israel and Palestine — The Century Foundation
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"An on‑the‑ground critical take arguing that the U.N./U.S. plan to move to a 'phase two' Gaza ceasefire — with an international stabilization force and Trump‑led oversight board — is premature, faces steep political and operational hurdles (notably hostage returns, ISF composition and Hamas disarmament), and risks becoming symbolic unless core conditions are resolved."
📰 Sources (10)
- The Trump administration plans to appoint an American two-star general to command the Gaza International Stabilization Force (ISF), per two U.S. officials and two Israeli officials.
- UN Ambassador Mike Waltz told Prime Minister Netanyahu that the U.S. will lead the ISF and that he knows the slated general personally, according to Israeli officials.
- A White House official says compositions of the ISF, Board of Peace, and a technocratic Palestinian government are under discussion but no final decisions have been made.
- The U.S. has proposed former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov as the Board of Peace representative on the ground in Gaza.
- Germany and Italy have been invited to join the Board of Peace; prior interest in sending ISF troops came from Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Egypt, though Western participation is uncertain.
- U.S. officials say a civil-military HQ in Israel is already overseeing the ceasefire and aid coordination; the administration maintains there will be no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza.
- Key friction points for partners include whether Hamas will disarm and the ISF rules of engagement.
- AP analysis of COGAT figures finds Gaza aid averaged 459 trucks/day Oct. 12–Dec. 7 versus the ceasefire’s 600/day target.
- COGAT says ~18,000 food-aid trucks entered since the truce (70% of total aid since the truce), implying just over 25,700 trucks total vs. ~33,600 expected by Dec. 7.
- UN database shows only 6,545 trucks offloaded in the same period (~113/day), with discrepancies attributed to non‑UN bilateral shipments and bottlenecks.
- OCHA cites ‘persistent impediments’ — insecurity, customs clearance, crossing denials/delays, and limited internal routes — constraining deliveries.
- Israel temporarily halted aid at least once over alleged Hamas truce violations tied to returning hostage remains; Hamas cites difficulties locating remains amid destruction.
- The U.N. Security Council has approved President Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza.
- Phase one is nearly complete with the remains of one hostage still in Gaza; Qatar’s prime minister says the ceasefire is at a ‘critical point.’
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the White House this month to discuss next steps.
- A U.S. official says partner countries are meeting this month and predicts ‘boots on the ground’ for the International Stabilization Force in early 2026.
- Countries expressing willingness to participate in the ISF include Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, though no firm commitments or command structure have been finalized.
- Hamas says it will oppose efforts by the force to disarm it, and Israel is hesitant to entrust security to an international body.
- Trump will head an international ‘Board of Peace’ to supervise Gaza’s technocratic administration; Tony Blair has been floated as a possible member, but Trump is the only official member named so far.
- Hamas official Husam Badran threatened not to proceed to phase two unless Israel fully implements phase one, including opening a key crossing, halting strikes, and allowing more aid.
- Israel said it would begin allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza through a crossing on the Jordan–Israel border.
- Updated figure from Palestinian health officials: at least 376 Palestinians have been killed since the Oct. 10 ceasefire took hold amid Israeli operations.
- Hamas says destruction from Israeli strikes has hampered efforts to locate the last hostage’s remains.
- UN and aid groups say current aid levels are far short of needs.
- Netanyahu said phase two could begin by the end of the month, contingent on Hamas returning the remains of Ran Gvili.
- AP quotes a senior Hamas official saying the group is ready to discuss “freezing or storing or laying down” its weapons as part of the ceasefire.
- IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called the Gaza “Yellow Line” a “new border” and said Israel will remain on those defense lines.
- Germany will assist phase-two implementation by sending officers and diplomats to a U.S.-led civilian and military coordination center and by sending humanitarian aid.
- Completion of phase one would include Israel returning 15 Palestinian bodies in exchange for Gvili’s remains.
- Netanyahu said phase two of the Gaza ceasefire is expected to begin 'very shortly' and could start by the end of the month.
- Netanyahu announced he will meet President Trump later this month to discuss 'opportunities for peace.'
- AP-sourced detail: an international body overseeing the ceasefire, led by President Trump, is expected to be appointed by the end of the year.
- Netanyahu framed phase two as focused on the disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of Gaza, with a third phase on 'deradicalization.'
- Status note: the remains of Israeli Master Sgt. Ran Gvili have not yet been returned.
- Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas are "very shortly" expected to move into phase two of the ceasefire, possibly by the end of the month, contingent on Hamas returning the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili.
- He outlined phase two elements: deploying an international force in Gaza and forming a temporary Palestinian government under an international board led by President Donald Trump.
- Germany will assist phase two by sending officers and diplomats to a U.S.-led civilian/military coordination center in southern Israel and by providing humanitarian aid.
- Netanyahu acknowledged travel concerns due to an ICC warrant and said there are no immediate plans to visit Germany; Merz reiterated support for Israel and a two-state solution while saying recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of a process.
- Qatar’s prime minister says the ceasefire is at a “critical moment” as the first phase winds down and stresses it remains a pause, not a full ceasefire.
- He states one Israeli hostage’s remains still need to be handed over; Israel sent a delegation to Egypt last week to discuss returning the last hostage’s remains.
- The second phase has not begun; it envisions an international security force in Gaza, a technocratic government, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal.
- Turkey’s foreign minister publicly questions the composition/command of any Gaza security force and notes Israel rejects Turkish participation.
- AP cites Arab and Western officials that an international oversight body led by President Trump is expected to be appointed by year-end.
- Operational update: Shifa Hospital reports two Palestinians killed in a strike northwest of Gaza City; IDF says it isn’t aware of an airstrike there but says soldiers killed three militants who crossed the “yellow line” into the Israeli-controlled area.
- Qatar’s prime minister says the ceasefire is at a “critical moment,” stressing it is only a pause and not yet a full ceasefire without Israeli withdrawal and restored stability in Gaza.
- The second phase of the U.S. plan — including deployment of an international security force, a technocratic Gaza government, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal — has not begun.
- Arab and Western officials told AP that an international body to oversee the ceasefire, led by President Trump, is expected to be appointed by year-end.
- Turkey’s foreign minister raised major open questions about the international security force’s participants, command structure, and initial mission, noting Israel rejects Turkish participation.
- Gaza health officials say 360+ Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the October truce took effect; Shifa Hospital reported two new deaths in an airstrike northwest of Gaza City.
- The IDF said it killed three militants who crossed a “yellow line” into an Israeli‑controlled area in northern Gaza and posed an immediate threat.