US allocates $206 million for proposed Gaza peacekeeping force

The Trump administration has informed Congress of its intention to allocate more than $206 million to support a proposed international stabilization force in Gaza. This marks the first significant US funding for the plan, which aims to secure the territory and facilitate its reconstruction. The funding, confirmed through two July 30 notifications, will cover equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and operational costs for the force, totaling $200 million, with an additional $6.3 million allocated for reassigning US armored vehicles.

The proposed force would manage security operations, aid in disarmament efforts, and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to Gaza. The plan, outlined by Trump, calls for deploying an international force in areas currently controlled by Israeli troops, as well as supporting the training of a new Palestinian police force and assisting in aid delivery operations within the territory.

Approximately $6.3 million will be used to reassign nine US armored personnel carriers, previously allocated for use in Nepal, to support the international stabilization force. Albania and Kosovo are set to be the first recipients of this equipment, along with Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Egypt, which have pledged troops to the force. Jordan has committed to training police forces, although no specific timeline for force deployment has been established.

Despite Trump's announcement of a "breakthrough" in negotiations, with Hamas agreeing to gradually disarm in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, implementation remains stalled. Hamas has demanded Israel meet several conditions, including halting attacks and withdrawing from Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the agreement, insisting Israel would not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Ongoing talks between Jared Kushner and Hamas officials in Jerusalem have not yielded progress, as both sides continue to uphold their core demands.