US Allocates $206 Million for Gaza Peacekeeping Force Amid Stalled Peace Plan

The Trump administration has notified Congress that it is providing more than $206 million for a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force. According to State Department notifications dated July 30, $200 million is designated for the International Stabilization Force's (ISF) equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and operational costs, while an additional $6 million will be used to repurpose U.S. armored vehicles. This represents the first significant U.S. spending on the force, which is intended to lead security operations, support demilitarization, and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.

The funding comes as the broader peace plan remains deadlocked. While President Trump announced a breakthrough on July 30 regarding a phased disarmament of Hamas and Israeli military withdrawal, both sides have since balked at the conditions. Hamas stated that implementation depends on Israel halting attacks and withdrawing first. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the deal this month, insisting that Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is completely disarmed. Recent meetings involving Jared Kushner with Hamas and Israeli leaders did not result in a breakthrough.

Five countries have committed troops to the ISF so far: Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania. Egypt and Jordan have committed to training police. A Board of Peace, established by Trump to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza and the implementation of a 21 point peace plan, is managing the effort. While a Board of Peace official described recent weeks as a period of significant advances, reports indicate that only a fraction of the $17 billion initially pledged by member countries for reconstruction has been received.