Credited from: LEMONDE
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that "a lot of countries" have expressed willingness to participate in an international security force for Gaza. This is part of President Donald Trump's peace plan, which aims to stabilize the region following the recent ceasefire with Hamas. Rubio, visiting Israel, emphasized the necessity for Israel to be comfortable with the composition of the force, indicating negotiations are ongoing regarding its deployment, which must factor in relations with Hamas, according to BBC and The Jakarta Post.
During a meeting in Cairo, Palestinian factions, including Hamas, agreed to establish a temporary committee of independent technocrats to manage Gaza's post-war affairs. This administration aims to handle essential services in partnership with international bodies, reflecting a coordinated strategy after Hamas's refusal to participate in governance while still opposing its disarmament, reports Le Monde and India Times.
Rubio confirmed that Israel would retain a veto over the international force's composition, an arrangement that has already prompted objections to Turkey's involvement. Many countries, including Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, have expressed readiness to contribute troops, aiming to ensure any deployment aligns with Israeli security concerns, as per BBC, The Jakarta Post, and Le Monde.
As fighting has subsided since the October 10 ceasefire, the situation remains dire in Gaza, where over 68,000 Palestinians have reportedly died due to the Israeli military campaigns initiated in response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7. Efforts to restore normalcy have been hindered by continued aid restrictions, underscoring the urgency of reinvigorating the region with reconstruction efforts contingent on a successful international force deployment, noted in reports by The Jakarta Post and India Times.
Additionally, some 200 US soldiers have been deployed to a new Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel, responsible for monitoring ongoing conditions and aiding in planning post-conflict recovery efforts. The collaboration has allowed for the flow of essential goods into Gaza, creating a hopeful atmosphere for reconstruction as emphasized by Rubio's remarks on the progress achieved so far, cited by India Times and Le Monde.