This article is part of a partnership with OC Media. You can read the original English version here.
According to Israeli media reports, Georgia is in advanced talks regarding the potential deployment of its military personnel to the Gaza Strip as part of a US-backed “stabilisation force.”
As reported by The Times of Israel, citing Israeli television channel Channel 12, similar talks are also underway with Vietnam.
The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) is a temporary initiative proposed as part of a 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip developed by US President Donald Trump. Under the plan, the ISF will train and support Palestinian police forces in Gaza, as well as coordinate with Jordan and Egypt, which are noted to have “extensive experience in this area.”
The document refers to the ISF as a “long-term solution for internal security.” The force is expected to work alongside Israel and Egypt to secure border areas and prevent weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Following this, the ISF is slated to take over control of the territory from the Israel Defense Forces.
In November, the UN Security Council backed a US-drafted resolution approving the plan, including the creation of the International Stabilisation Force.
In the same report, Channel 12, citing diplomatic sources, reported that the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), established in southern Israel in October to implement Trump’s 20-point plan, will be restructured and renamed the Gaza Aid Centre. The ISF is expected to play a more significant role in its operations.
The Board of Peace, chaired by Donald Trump, which was initially intended to oversee Gaza’s transition from Hamas rule and later received a broader mandate to promote “best practices” in peacebuilding, reportedly did not deny the information.
According to The Times of Israel, citing Channel 12, the Board stated that the ISF and the Civil-Military Coordination Centre are developing “different models of closer coordination and integration” as the mission expands. It was also noted that no staff reductions are currently planned, and talks with other countries regarding the participation of their troops are ongoing.
OC Media sent an inquiry to the Georgian Ministry of Defence, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
Azerbaijan was previously also mentioned as a potential participant in the International Stabilisation Force. However, in January, President Ilham Aliyev made it clear that Baku was not interested in participating in the mission, as Palestine does not support Azerbaijan’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Aliev also stated that, in his view, “Arab countries should solve the problems of Arab countries themselves.”