The United States is accelerating military preparations near the Gaza Strip as Washington moves closer to deploying an international stabilization force inside the Palestinian enclave, amid growing Israeli concerns over the mission’s potential security and political implications.
Israeli media reported Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has approved the initial deployment of approximately 250 foreign military personnel into Gaza, marking a significant development in efforts to establish an international presence in the war-ravaged territory.
According to Israeli news outlet Walla, the approval represents an initial phase of a broader plan to introduce a multinational force tasked with maintaining security and supporting the proposed post-war arrangements in Gaza. Israel had previously indicated its willingness to permit dozens of foreign military personnel into the enclave but had not disclosed a specific number.
The latest development comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), which forms part of US President Donald Trump’s broader plan for Gaza following more than two years of devastating Israeli military operations.
Netanyahu had denied in August approving the entry of an international force into Gaza, reflecting the Israeli government’s reluctance to accept an external security arrangement that could potentially limit its military freedom of action or influence over the enclave’s future.
Several countries have reportedly expressed willingness to participate in the proposed mission. According to Walla, Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Uganda and Albania are among the countries that have communicated their interest to Washington.
Their potential contributions would vary according to their military and institutional capabilities. Kazakhstan has offered medical and logistical assistance, while Kosovo has proposed participating in security and policing operations. The precise composition, command structure and operational responsibilities of the international force have not yet been publicly established.
The preparations suggest that Washington is attempting to move beyond diplomatic discussions and establish the logistical infrastructure required for the deployment. However, the initiative faces significant political and security challenges, particularly concerning Israel’s influence over Gaza and the future role of Palestinian authorities.
According to Walla, American military preparations have intensified in recent weeks, with US troops and military officers from participating countries reportedly observed near the Gaza border.
Israeli military officials cited by the outlet said foreign officers, accompanied by American military personnel, had been seen operating around the border area over the previous two weeks. Their movements were described as part of preparations for the eventual entry of the multinational International Stabilization Force deep into Gaza.
One of the most significant developments involves the conversion of an existing Israeli military installation in southern Israel into a secured American military facility.
The base, which was reportedly handed over to the United States, is being developed as a logistical and operational centre for the planned international deployment.
Walla reported that Washington has already transferred military vehicles and equipment to the designated facility, located within the area of responsibility of the Israeli army’s Southern Brigade of the Gaza Division.
The equipment reportedly includes military trucks, highly mobile armoured personnel carriers, medical evacuation vehicles and armoured vehicles equipped with machine guns.
Security infrastructure at the compound has also been strengthened. Guard towers, surveillance systems and lighting installations have been established around the facility, while its perimeter fencing has been reinforced to provide additional protection.
Armed American soldiers are reportedly maintaining round-the-clock security at the installation.
The scale of these preparations indicates that the United States is establishing a dedicated operational presence close to Gaza before the international force begins its mission. Although Washington has not publicly detailed the facility’s complete operational mandate, its location and equipment suggest that it could support personnel movements, logistics, medical evacuation and coordination with participating countries.
The preparations also raise questions about how the American military presence will interact with Israeli forces, particularly if international troops are deployed into areas where Israel maintains security interests or operational influence.
Despite approving an initial deployment, Israeli security officials reportedly remain concerned about the possible consequences of introducing an international force into Gaza.
According to Walla, concerns within the Israeli military establishment extend beyond the immediate security arrangements. Officials are particularly worried about the policy Washington could adopt toward Israel and the speed at which the international force might expand its presence inside the enclave.
These concerns have reportedly intensified following the November 3 US midterm elections, in which the Democratic Party won control of both chambers of Congress from Trump’s Republican Party.
Israeli officials fear that a change in the political balance in Washington could encourage senior American administration figures to adopt a tougher position toward the Netanyahu government, particularly regarding Gaza, the humanitarian situation and the future of Israeli military operations.
An unnamed Israeli security official expressed concern that the international deployment could eventually become larger than Israel’s own military formation responsible for the Gaza area.
“It is not inconceivable that the Gaza Division and Southern Command could wake up one day to find an international force larger than the Gaza Division itself,” the official told Walla.
The official added that Israel needed to prepare for different diplomatic and security scenarios that could have direct consequences on the ground.
The remarks illustrate a fundamental contradiction within the proposed stabilization arrangement. While the United States and participating countries may view the international force as a mechanism for establishing security and supporting Gaza’s transition toward post-war governance, Israel appears concerned that an expanding foreign military presence could gradually constrain its strategic options.
The issue of command and authority will therefore be central to the mission’s implementation. Questions remain over whether international troops will operate independently, coordinate with Israeli military authorities or function under a US-led command structure.
There are also unresolved questions about the force’s mandate, including whether it will be responsible exclusively for securing designated areas or will have broader responsibilities involving policing, border security and the protection of humanitarian operations.
Alongside the military preparations, Israel is reportedly advancing plans for a new urban development project in southern Gaza, backed by the United Arab Emirates.
According to Walla, engineering work is underway to establish a city on part of Rafah, where tens of thousands of Palestinians could eventually be accommodated following extensive security screening.
The proposed development is expected to operate under strict entry arrangements, including Israeli security checks. The number of Palestinians initially permitted to enter the compound would be limited, with Israeli security officials describing the initiative as a pilot project.
The international stabilization force is expected to provide security in the designated city area during the project’s initial phase.
The proposed arrangement would place foreign military personnel in a particularly sensitive role, overseeing security in an area where displaced Palestinians could be relocated or accommodated.
However, the project has raised questions about the conditions under which Palestinians would be allowed to return to their communities, the criteria used for security screening and whether the proposed development would form part of a broader reconstruction strategy or a separate security-controlled arrangement.
Walla reported that there is currently no established timetable for the project.
The absence of a clear schedule reflects wider disagreements within the Israeli government over Gaza’s reconstruction. Netanyahu’s government has opposed comprehensive rebuilding efforts unless Hamas is disarmed and control of the enclave is transferred to a third party.
These conditions have complicated international efforts to establish a political and administrative framework for Gaza after the war.
For Palestinians, the central issue remains whether reconstruction will allow displaced residents to return to their homes and communities or whether new security arrangements will determine where they can live and under what conditions.
The proposed international deployment comes as Gaza continues to experience a catastrophic humanitarian and infrastructure crisis following Israeli military operations that began in October 2023.
More than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 175,000 injured, according to the figures cited in the report. Approximately 90 per cent of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leaving large parts of Gaza without adequate housing, healthcare, electricity, water and other essential services.
Although a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, was expected to create conditions for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, violence and restrictions on aid deliveries have continued.
According to the reported figures, Israeli attacks have killed another 1,602 Palestinians and injured 5,794 since the ceasefire came into effect, with women and children accounting for most of the casualties.
Israel has also continued to restrict the agreed entry of food, medicines, medical supplies, shelter materials and prefabricated housing into the territory, worsening conditions for an estimated 2.4 million Palestinians living in Gaza.
Around 2.15 million people are reported to be displaced, many of whom have lost their homes and remain dependent on humanitarian assistance.
The scale of destruction means that any stabilization mission will face responsibilities extending far beyond conventional military security. Establishing safe conditions for humanitarian operations, protecting civilians, supporting the restoration of essential services and facilitating reconstruction will be critical challenges.
However, the effectiveness of the international force will depend heavily on the authority granted to it, the cooperation of regional and international actors and the extent to which Israel permits its personnel to operate independently inside Gaza.
The emerging American military infrastructure and reported Israeli approval for an initial deployment of approximately 250 foreign troops indicate that preparations for the International Stabilization Force are moving into a more concrete phase.
Nevertheless, the mission’s political mandate remains uncertain. The participating countries will need clarity over their responsibilities, rules of engagement, command arrangements and the relationship between international personnel, Israeli forces and any future Palestinian governing authority.
Washington will also face the challenge of balancing Israeli security demands with international expectations for a credible post-war framework that protects Palestinian civilians and enables reconstruction.
For Israel, the deployment presents a strategic dilemma. An international presence could help address some security and administrative challenges in Gaza, but a force with substantial foreign participation and American backing could also introduce new constraints on Israeli decision-making.
For Palestinians, the central question is whether the proposed arrangement will lead to meaningful reconstruction, freedom of movement and the restoration of civilian governance, or establish another layer of external security control over an already devastated territory.
