International troops could begin deploying to the Gaza Strip as early as next month under a U.N.-mandated stabilization force, two U.S. officials said Friday.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the International Stabilization Force (ISF) would not fight Hamas. They said lots of countries had expressed interest in contributing and U.S. officials are currently working out the size of the ISF, composition, housing, training and rules of engagement.
An American two-star general is being considered to lead the ISF, but no decisions have been made, the officials said.
Deployment of the force is a key part of the next phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. Under the first phase, a fragile cease-fire in the two-year war began on Oct. 10 and Hamas has released hostages and Israel has freed detained Palestinians.
"There is a lot of quiet planning that's going on behind the scenes right now for phase two of the peace deal," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday. "We want to ensure an enduring and lasting peace."
