The United States is working to establish a multinational stabilization force to oversee the Middle East’s most volatile region, with a focus on Gaza. In a closed‑door meeting in Doha on December 16, representatives from roughly 45 Arab, Muslim and Western states gathered to discuss the formation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). Israel was not invited, a notable omission that underscored the political sensitivities surrounding the talks.
The agenda centered on practical aspects of the mission—its structure, rules of engagement and deployment zones. This technical focus highlighted the political implications, as participants began debating the use of force and potential incidents, implicitly acknowledging that conditions on the ground would be challenging. A key point of contention is the force’s mandate. Some reports suggest the ISF would act as a buffer to facilitate humanitarian aid and maintain basic security, while others propose it should be tasked with disarming Hamas. Yet the concept does not envision direct confrontation with Hamas, creating a classic peacekeeping dilemma.
Geography of responsibility is also debated. Many potential contributors are more willing to discuss a presence in areas under Israeli control than in districts where Hamas retains influence. This hesitation reflects the risk of combat and the reluctance of participating countries to assume that risk. The participant list—Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia and European states such as the UK, France and Italy—shows a broad coalition, but the closed format raises questions about who is prepared to make concrete commitments. Many states are willing to provide funding, training and logistics, yet they are hesitant to deploy troops because of the political cost of potential casualties and the risk of escalation.
The absence of Türkiye from the meeting is significant; reports indicate that Israel objected to its participation. This omission has implications for the mission’s legitimacy and the balance of influence in the region. The prospective mission is linked to a broader settlement plan that includes transitional governance arrangements, a reduction of the Israeli presence and the disarmament of Hamas. A UN Security Council resolution in November provided a framework for the formation of a stabilization force and an associated international structure.
The United States is attempting to build a multilateral project with distributed responsibility, but the allocation of duties remains a core challenge. The truce in Gaza, established in October, has been marked by managed escalation, with each side seeking to demonstrate that it is responding to the other’s breaches. The situation remains fragile; incidents and accusations of violations threaten to derail the agreement. While the U.S. pushes for a logic of managed transition, the reality on the ground is sustained by a constant stream of force‑related caveats.
The complexity of a Gaza settlement is evident, entangling regional dynamics, historical conflicts and domestic politics. The current administration has a domestic incentive to “finish the architecture” ahead of the midterm elections, yet the central contradiction persists: de‑escalation in Gaza does not automatically stabilize the wider region. Tensions remain on the northern front with Lebanon, and the Iran‑Israel track stays highly combustible, threatening to overshadow any success achieved in Gaza.
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