Gaza stabilization force still unformed after three months

An international force intended to stabilize Gaza and oversee a fragile ceasefire remains effectively nonexistent three months after its announcement, with none of the five nations that pledged troops having deployed any significant contributions. The force, known as the International Stabilization Force for Gaza, was unveiled in February at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, an initiative by former U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers was designated to command the envisioned 20,000-strong force.

The most significant setback occurred about a week after a joint U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, when Indonesia placed its commitment of 8,000 troops on indefinite hold. Indonesia’s pledge was the largest by far among the contributing nations, which also include Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin cited a perceived lack of commitment from Washington and a failure to provide implementation guidelines as reasons for the suspension. He told parliament that the ongoing high-intensity conflict between U.S. and Iranian forces had caused the Board of Peace initiative to be sidelined,...