US Pushes for Swift Deployment of International Force to Secure Gaza Ceasefire
The United States has called for the rapid deployment of an international stabilisation force to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, as Palestinian factions move to establish a technocratic committee to govern the post-war territory.
Top U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio made the appeal on Friday, October 24, during his visit to Israel, following Vice President JD Vance’s trip as part of Washington’s diplomatic push to solidify the truce between Israel and Hamas.
Rubio described the formation of the multinational force as “critical” to ensuring long-term peace, stating that it should be deployed “as soon as it possibly can be put together.” The deal, brokered by President Donald Trump, envisions the force maintaining security and stability after the ceasefire that ended the two-year Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
In a separate development, major Palestinian groups, including Hamas, agreed to form a temporary committee of independent technocrats to manage Gaza’s basic services and daily affairs. A joint statement released by Hamas said the committee would work “in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions.”
The factions also urged the revival of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the “sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” emphasizing unity in post-war governance.
While Hamas has stated it does not intend to rule Gaza after the war, it has resisted calls to disarm. The creation of an international security force is seen as a key step toward unlocking reconstruction funds, which U.S. officials have pledged will not be directed to Hamas-controlled areas.
Rubio confirmed that Israel would have veto power over the composition of the peacekeeping force, noting objections to Turkey’s participation. “There are a lot of countries that have offered to contribute, but it has to be ones Israel is comfortable with,” he said.
Possible contributors include Indonesia, which has expressed readiness to send troops, and the United Arab Emirates, already involved in ceasefire monitoring. The U.S. may also seek a United Nations mandate for the force, though Rubio ruled out any role for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which Israel has banned.
The U.S. has reportedly intensified pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who earlier rejected ceasefire proposals and ordered renewed offensives. Meanwhile, Hamas said on Friday it had received “clear guarantees” from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that the war “has effectively ended.”
