US gives $206mn for Gaza force amid gap

The United States has announced it will provide over $206 million to support a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force, marking the first substantial financial backing for the initiative. The funds, disclosed in two notifications sent to Congress on July 30, comprise $200 million for essential equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and operational expenses of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), and an additional $6 million to repurpose U.S. armored vehicles.

This marks the initial concrete U.S. expenditure on the peacekeeping force and underscores the administration's commitment to advancing President Trump's Gaza roadmap, despite resistance from both Israel and Hamas. The ISF will be responsible for security operations, facilitating comprehensive demilitarization, and enabling the secure delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to Gaza.

The funding is contingent on the final details of the force's composition, which remain under negotiation. The administration has not disclosed the total funding required to fully fund the force. The Gaza peacekeeping effort has faced significant setbacks since its inception, with both Israel and Hamas refusing to agree to the conditions necessary for its implementation. Despite recent progress, the plan remains stalled.