Full Breakdown
Israel Approves Deployment of International Stabilization Force to Gaza
7/31/2026, 10:50:43 PM
Core Event: Cabinet Approval and Planned ISF Entry
On July 26, Israel’s security cabinet authorized the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enter Gaza. The initial wave will include up to 200 troops from Kosovo, Albania, Morocco and possibly Kazakhstan and Uganda. The ISF will work with the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and a new Palestinian police force to support aid delivery, de-commission weapons and maintain public order as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdraw.
Background & Context
The decision follows the U.S.-backed “20-point plan” announced in October 2025 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. Former Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has championed the plan, which calls for phased reconstruction, Hamas demilitarization and a new Palestinian administration under the NCAG. The Board of Peace, created after the U.S.-mediated ceasefire, has secured pledges for 5,000 troops from various nations, though only a few representatives have arrived in Israel so far.
Data & Statistics
- 5,000 vetted recruits pledged for the ISF.
- 200 troops slated for the first wave.
- Contributing nations: Kosovo, Albania, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Uganda.
- Training for the Gaza police force has begun; most recruits remain outside Gaza.
Official Statements & Responses
- A U.S. official noted the 5,000-troop commitment and ongoing police training.
- “I welcome steps by Israel that enable the deployment of the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803,” — Nickolay Mladenov
Criticism & Opposition
Israeli security officials warned the ISF could limit IDF operational freedom and allow Hamas to regroup. The advocacy group Future for the Gaza Envelope condemned the cabinet’s decision, demanding assurance that border security will improve and that reconstruction wait until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The Board of Peace says police training is underway, while a U.S. source questions the pace.
- Israeli officials argue only the IDF can effectively remove weapons, whereas the Board presents the ISF as essential for humanitarian scaling.
- Troop numbers differ: 5,000 pledged versus a “handful” of representatives from the listed nations currently in Israel.
What’s Next
The Board of Peace announced on July 16 that Moroccan forces will assist with aid delivery and police training. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to the United States on July 27, shortly after the cabinet’s approval. The first ISF actions are expected in the coming weeks, focusing on restoring basic services, establishing shelters in areas not controlled by Hamas, and advancing the 20-point Gaza plan.
