Egypt expected to lead global stabilisation force in Gaza, say diplomats

"A European and US-backed UN security council motion to give a planned international stabilisation force robust powers to control security inside Gaza is being prepared, with the strong expectation that Egypt will lead it, diplomats have said. The US is pressing for the force to have a UN mandate without being a fully fledged UN peacekeeping force and will operate with the kind of powers given to international troops operating in Haiti to combat armed gangs."

"It is not expected that European or British troops will be involved, but Britain has sent advisers to a small cell being operated by the US inside Israel that is working on implementing the second phase of the 20-point plan developed by Donald Trump, the US president. The UK is stressing that the ultimate aim is a Palestinian state , which must be seen eventually as a single entity including the West Bank and East Jerusalem."

"British diplomats admit that the issue of decommissioning Hamas weapons will be the most difficult and it is contributing ideas from the process in Northern Ireland, where IRA and Protestant-controlled weapons were put beyond use including through an independent verification body. It is probable that Hamas will only decommission weapons to a Palestinian-led body to ensure connotations of surrender are minimised, but third parties could be used to verify this for Israel."

A European and US-backed UN Security Council motion will create a planned international stabilization force with robust powers to control security inside Gaza, likely led by Egypt. The US seeks a UN mandate without a full UN peacekeeping classification and wants powers like those used in Haiti against armed gangs. Turkey, Indonesia and Azerbaijan are likely troop contributors. Britain has sent advisers to a US-led cell implementing the second phase of a 20-point plan and will not deploy troops. The international force would take lead responsibility while Israel may retain a large buffer zone. Decommissioning of Hamas heavy weapons should begin with missile launchers and use third-party verification informed by Northern Ireland experience.

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