US officials say Gaza stabilization force will not fight Hamas

NEW YORK: International troops could be deployed in the Gaza Strip as early as next month to form a UN-authorized stabilization force, two US officials said, but it remains unclear how Hamas will be disarmed. Officials said the International Stabilization Force, or ISF, would not fight Hamas. They said many countries have expressed interest in contributing, and US officials are currently working out the size of the ISF, its composition, housing, training, and rules of engagement. There is a lot of quiet planning that’s going on behind the scenes right now for phase two of the peace deal.