International Force for Gaza Stalled Three Months After Announcement

The Story

An international stabilization force for Gaza, announced in February 2026 at the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, has not materialized three months later. No country has made significant troop contributions, and the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains stalled.

Key Facts

• The International Stabilization Force for Gaza was announced at the first meeting of President Trump’s Board of Peace in February 2026.
• U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers was tapped to lead the planned 20,000-strong force.
• Five countries pledged troops: Indonesia (8,000), Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania.
• Indonesia put its commitment on indefinite hold about a week after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
• Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin cited a lack of commitment from Washington due to the high intensity of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
• The Iran war has made it difficult for Arab and Muslim leaders to cooperate with the U.S. and Israel and has caused a global energy crisis.
• Ceasefire implementation is stalled; Hamas has refused to disarm and Israel has seized more territory while continuing strikes.
• Israeli troops control about 60% of Gaza.
• Board of Peace Director Nickolay Mladenov said the force cannot begin until a second ceasefire phase is agreed, requiring Hamas disarmament.
• Hamas has demanded Israel withdraw from areas seized since the ceasefire began, according to an Egyptian official.
• Israeli strikes have killed more than 880 Palestinians since the ceasefire, according to local health officials.
• Kazakhstan limited its support to a humanitarian component (medical units and field hospital).
• Albania’s chief of staff said no troops have been sent; a few may be dispatched to headquarters.
• Kosovo said in April it was in the “final phase of preparations” to send 20 troops.
• Morocco said it would deploy high-level military officers to the joint command.
• The U.S. Central Command and Board of Peace spokesman declined to comment on Indonesia’s decision.

Conflicting Reports

Hamas says Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire, holding up its implementation, and has accused Mladenov of siding with Israel. Israel says it was responding to violations of the truce. Mladenov has blamed the deadlock on Hamas, calling its disarmament “non-negotiable.”

Still Unclear

When or if the international force will actually deploy; the specific current status of troop pledges from Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania; the full impact of the Iran war on the Board of Peace’s operations.

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.

Key Figures

• Donald Trump, U.S. President
• Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, U.S. Army, commander designate
• Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesian Defense Minister
• Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, director at Indonesia-Middle East/North Africa desk, Center for Economic and Law Studies
• Nickolay Mladenov, Board of Peace Director
• Brad Klapper, Board of Peace spokesman
• Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Foreign Minister
• Lt. Gen. Arben Kingji, Albanian Chief of Staff
• Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian President
• An anonymous Egyptian official

Sources: abcnews.com