Egypt seeks US-led stabilisation force for Gaza, wants Turkey involved - sources
As-salamu alaykum. Egypt is reportedly asking for the Gaza stabilisation force proposed in former US President Trump's plan to be led by US troops and to include Turkey as part of its conditions for taking part, sources said. Cairo says it would also require a UN Security Council resolution that clearly defines the force’s mandate and limits how long it would be deployed in postwar Gaza.
One source said Egypt will only join if the force’s main job is to keep security and stability in Gaza, not to fight armed groups there. Egypt, along with Qatar, the US and Turkey, has been involved in mediating since the conflict began in October 2023. These countries maintain ties with Hamas and with each other, and Turkey’s role has become more visible recently.
According to the sources, Egypt wants Israel to agree to a truce lasting up to 10 years to allow Hamas and other armed groups time to hand over weapons to be decommissioned and kept under international supervision. The idea is that those groups would use that period to become non-violent political actors and integrate into Palestinian politics under the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank, which is widely recognised internationally.
These details came as US envoys were touring the region to push for speedy implementation of the 20-point Gaza plan. The first phase of the plan supported the recent ceasefire that began on October 10: Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages and returned remains, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and returned many bodies.
Later phases cover disarmament of Hamas, postwar governance in Gaza, a long-term ceasefire, and deployment of an international stabilisation force. US representatives and other envoys were in the region this week to try to lock down the ceasefire and work on the next steps. Egypt’s intelligence chief also met Israeli and Palestinian officials as part of these talks.
Supporters of the plan say the US leading the force would give it greater weight and better protection for its personnel. There are differing views about which countries should take part: Israeli leaders signalled strong objections to Turkey’s involvement, while other sources said Turkey, Indonesia and Azerbaijan might contribute to a force of around 4,000 troops, initially deployed where Israeli forces have pulled back.
Egypt has also raised reopening the Rafah crossing with Gaza so that more humanitarian aid can enter and injured or sick Gazans can travel for treatment, and so displaced Palestinians who fled during the war can return home safely.
The post reminds us of the scale of the humanitarian crisis: the war began after an attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent military campaign has caused catastrophic loss of life and displacement in Gaza, creating urgent needs for food, shelter and medical care.
May Allah grant safety to the innocent, ease the suffering of civilians, and guide leaders to just and peaceful solutions that protect lives and dignity.
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