Italy, Indonesia to send forces to Gaza under strict conditions

Italy and Indonesia have agreed in principle to send forces to a proposed international stabilization force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip, on the condition that there is no direct contact with Hamas, the Israeli newspaper Israel Today reported Tuesday.

The paper added that US officials are due to hold a conference in the Qatari capital, Doha, with the participation of countries willing to help set up the force. However, apart from Italy and Indonesia, most other countries are not ready to join unless Hamas is first disarmed.

This comes despite the participation of more than 24 countries in the international headquarters in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, which oversees the ceasefire and is preparing for the deployment of the new force.

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Turkey has announced its readiness to deploy troops, but Israel has objected. For now, Turkish forces are expected to take part only in the third phase of the Trump plan, the reconstruction phase, and without armed soldiers. 

In addition, there is a Palestinian force made up of several hundred soldiers trained in Egypt, which is also included on the list of potential forces. However, according to the newspaper, Israel currently opposes the entry of Palestinian forces because they are affiliated with the Palestinian Authority.

The newspaper said available information suggests that, in the first phase of the deployment, forces will be stationed only in areas under Israeli control in the southern Gaza Strip. Initially, they will be based at one site being built in Rafah, with several other bases to follow, all located in areas under Israeli control.

READ: Italy ready to contribute to international stabilization force in Gaza: Foreign minister