Disputes Stall US Plan For Gaza Stabilization Force

As international leaders scramble to chart a path forward for Gaza in the wake of months of conflict, deep disagreements have emerged over a key United States proposal: the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to help restore order and deliver aid in the battered enclave. The debate, which has unfolded in diplomatic back rooms and at high-profile summits, highlights the complex web of interests and anxieties that surround any post-conflict plan for Gaza’s future.

On November 4, 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made his position clear during a press conference at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar. Guterres emphasized that any potential stabilization force for Gaza must be sanctioned by the UN Security Council, underscoring the need for broad international legitimacy. "What we believe is that whatever entity that is created in Gaza should have the legitimacy of a mandate from the Security Council," Guterres stated, according to UN News.

The US, working alongside Arab and international partners, has drafted a Security Council resolution that would establish the ISF as a temporary measure in Gaza. The proposal is part of Washington’s broader initiative to stabilize the territory after the recent conflict, aiming to ensure humanitarian access, rebuild infrastructure, and prevent the resurgence of militant activity. Yet, as i24NEWS reports, several countries expected to support the resolution have voiced reservations, and the text has become the focus of heated diplomatic wrangling.

According to two Western diplomats who spoke to i24NEWS, "There are a lot of amendments. There is going to be quite a battle over the language and authorities of this force." Chief among the sticking points is the role of the ISF in demilitarization. Arab countries, in particular, have pushed back strongly against any mandate that would require the force to oversee the disarmament of local groups, insisting instead that its mission be strictly limited to peacekeeping. This distinction is more than semantic; it reflects deep-seated concerns about sovereignty, regional politics, and the future of Palestinian self-governance.

Another contentious issue is the question of coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) if and when the ISF is deployed. Some countries are uneasy about the prospect of parallel military operations in Gaza, while others argue that cooperation with Israel is essential for maintaining security and ensuring the effective delivery of aid. The US draft also proposes that the ISF report periodically to the UN Security Council, a requirement that some parties fear could become a political flashpoint in its own right.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, are watching the negotiations closely. Their hope is that the resolution’s framework will remain intact, preserving Israel’s ability to protect its interests in the region. But as i24NEWS notes, there is growing concern in Jerusalem that Washington may be forced to make concessions to secure broader international buy-in. Such compromises, Israeli officials warn, could result in language or powers in the final text that undermine Israel’s strategic objectives.

At the same time, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Guterres, speaking in Doha, stressed that the United Nations is "actively engaged in making sure that humanitarian aid increases dramatically" and reaches the entire population. He acknowledged that the US "has been helpful in making Israel at least progressively remove some of the obstacles and difficulties that are still in place" regarding aid delivery. Still, bottlenecks persist, and the need for rapid, large-scale assistance is urgent.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq provided a snapshot of these efforts during a recent press briefing in New York. On November 2, 2025, the UN and its partners managed to collect 80 truckloads of supplies—food, animal fodder, shelter materials, winter clothing, and hygiene items—along with four trucks of medicine and medical supplies. Yet, as Haq pointed out, "Congestion and heavy traffic continue to hamper collection efforts." The scale of the challenge is enormous: since general food distributions resumed on October 13, nearly one million people—half of Gaza’s population—have received assistance through 46 distribution points.

Efforts to support Gaza’s agricultural sector are also underway. Between mid-October and November 2, more than 210 metric tonnes of animal fodder were collected and distributed to about 1,700 herders in Deir al-Balah. Nutrition partners have secured over 120,000 packs of fortified cereal to help prevent acute malnutrition in children—a supply sufficient to support large numbers of children for one month. Water and sanitation services are expanding as well, with ongoing rehabilitation of three wells supplying neighborhoods in Gaza City.

Guterres also emphasized the need for a political solution that goes beyond immediate stabilization. He reiterated the UN’s longstanding position: "We have been very actively supporting the principle that the ceasefire must hold, that all parties must abide by the ceasefire, that there must be a link between Gaza and the West Bank in the way the next stage is put in place. And that this needs to lead to a two-State solution and to the recognition of an independent Palestinian State." He added that the transition should include "the training and the formation of a Palestinian police force" and result in a situation where "the Palestinian Authority exerts its full authority."

Despite these clear positions, the UN Secretariat is not directly involved in the Security Council negotiations over the US draft resolution. According to Guterres, "the US is drafting a Security Council resolution on Gaza in consultation with other serving members," but the Secretariat’s role is limited to offering technical support and advice. This hands-off approach reflects the sensitivity of the talks and the high stakes for all parties involved.

As diplomats continue to hammer out the details, the future of Gaza hangs in the balance. The ISF, if approved, could play a pivotal role in stabilizing the territory and laying the groundwork for long-term peace. But as the ongoing debates reveal, forging consensus on the force’s mandate, authority, and relationship to local and regional actors is anything but straightforward. With so much riding on the outcome, the world will be watching closely as the Security Council prepares to take up the resolution in the coming weeks.

The coming days will test the international community’s ability to bridge divides and put the people of Gaza at the center of its response. For now, the fate of the ISF—and of Gaza’s recovery—remains uncertain, caught between competing visions and the urgent realities on the ground.