The International Stabilization Force provides temporary peace in Gaza however, for long-term peace and stability, political consensus and governance are needed. The president of the United States, Donald Trump, proposed 20 peace points for ending the war and establishing stability in Gaza. In this plan, international Stabilization forces were deployed in Gaza to build stability in the region. The ISF can focus on border control with the help of Egypt and Israel, focus on lasting long-term peace in the region and the control of arms smuggling to Hamas. The ISF contain forces from different states allied with the U.S., which include many Western and Muslim states. The question arises is why the international stabilization force was not able to maintain long-term peace in Gaza?

The International Stabilization Forces can deploy in Gaza under the supervision of the United States, raising questions about its legitimacy. During the last 2 years of war between Israel and Palestine, the United States has continuously supported Israel, despite its aggressive behaviour and violations of international laws, raising questions over the leadership of the U.S. for this International Stabilization Force. Also, many countries, including Russia and China concerned about the leadership of the United States. They ask for an international stabilization force to deploy in Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations because if the United States lead these forces, it can challenge the power of these major powers.

The stabilization force can only be deployed in Gaza, eliminating other areas like the West Bank, East Jerusalem, raising concerns. The war affects the whole of Palestine. During the war in Gaza, millions of people were displaced internally from Gaza to other areas in Palestine, but these displaced people were not the focus of the International Stabilization forces, as the ISF were only going to deploy in Gaza. People of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and other areas also face Israeli settlers’ attacks, illegal occupation and land seizures, but the International Stabilization forces focus on ensuring stability in Gaza only, raising questions over the claim of peace in Palestine through deploying International peacekeeping forces.

Numerous Muslim states strongly support Trump’s plan for deploying International stabilization forces in Gaza for building peace. Countries like Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia support the plan and may deploy forces, but insist on a full United Nations mandate. Other Muslim states, such as the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, specified that they will not send troops without a clear UN legal mandate. The Arab states support the stance mainly to please the United States, as they need the U.S. for their security. Also, the war may be dragged into their countries, as in September this year, Israel launched an attack on Qatar believed to house Hamas political leaders. This was the First Israeli attack on Qatari soil, drawing the attention of other states to protect their lands, and that is only possible through building peace in Gaza.

Also, many Palestinians feel fear of the deployment of International Stabilization forces in Gaza.  As many Palestinian people see this force deployment as American protection for Israeli soldiers from Hamas. They think that these forces interfere with local governance and permanently capture their land and force them to leave their homeland, because the concerns of the local people were not included.  The deployment of International Stabilization forces did not include a clear UN mandate, and the leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization increased their fear of foreign occupation. Thus, the forces were seen as illegitimate and occupiers rather than peacekeeping forces.

Israel’s aggressive behaviour can challenge the purpose of the International Stabilization Forces. Israel’s aggressive attitude towards Gaza highlights its violent behaviour to prevent any peaceful action that contradicts its interests. Like after signing the ceasefire agreement with Hamas in October, Israel violated the fragile ceasefire 125 times and killed hundreds of Palestinians. Early ceasefire agreements of January 2025 and December 2023 were also violated by Israel by blaming Hamas for the violation of the ceasefire. So, Israel may prevent or bypass the International Stabilization forces if it does not serve Israel’s interests.

The international Stabilization forces can build stability in the region for a short period. Through monitoring that both sides will follow the ceasefire, protect civilians, maintain border peace and protect borders with the help of police and other law enforcement bodies. It would help to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing and maintain peace temporarily.  But in the long term, ISF would not maintain stability. The International Stabilization Forces are unable to address the root cause of war, as settlements, occupations, border issues and Palestinian sovereignty. The Palestine-Israel issue is a political issue lasting for decades, this conflict needs a real-time solution, a two-state solution for building peace in the Middle East. Also, a weak mandate undermines the credibility of the International Stabilization Forces.