Trump Anticipates Deployment of 'International Stabilization Force' in Gaza Soon

President Donald Trump announced that an international stabilization force for Gaza will deploy "very soon," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the U.S. is working through the United Nations to establish the legal framework needed for countries to participate in this peacekeeping mission.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the situation in Gaza is "going well" and emphasized that "everyone wants to see peace achieved in the Middle East." He described Hamas as "a very small part of what we're talking about" and claimed that "peace in Gaza is built on a strong foundation."

Rubio explained that volunteer countries need UN authorization before they can join the stabilization force. "Work is currently underway at the United Nations to reach a resolution that establishes an international framework enabling these countries to be part of the international force," he told reporters.

The timing comes as the region remains volatile. A ceasefire agreement exists but has faced violations over the past two weeks, according to UN officials who describe it as "fragile."

**UN Sets Conditions for Any International Force**

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed that any international force operating in Gaza must respect international humanitarian law and human rights law. The organization also insisted that Palestinians must be part of any process concerning Gaza's future or the occupied Palestinian territories as a whole.

This requirement could complicate deployment plans, as it adds layers of consultation and approval beyond the basic UN mandate that Rubio mentioned.

**Violence Continues in West Bank**

While attention focuses on Gaza, the UN documented troubling numbers from the West Bank. Israeli forces and settlers killed 1,010 Palestinians, including 215 children, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem between October 7, 2023, and November 5, 2024.

Settler attacks have intensified, particularly during olive harvest season. The UN recorded 757 attacks in the first half of this year - a 13% increase from the same period last year.

UNICEF warned against letting the West Bank become a "silent backdrop" to events elsewhere. The organization documented 47 children killed this year in the West Bank and East Jerusalem alone.

**What This Means for Regional Stability**

The proposed international force represents a significant shift in how the international community might handle Gaza's post-conflict governance. But several hurdles remain unclear: which countries will contribute troops, how long the deployment will last, and what specific mandate the force will have.

The International Court of Justice has already ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and must end. This legal backdrop adds complexity to any international intervention that doesn't address the broader occupation question.

For now, the focus remains on getting UN authorization and assembling willing countries. But with ongoing violations of the current ceasefire and escalating violence in the West Bank, the window for successful international intervention may be narrowing.