Key facts
- Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' has received tactical vehicles for a multinational security force near Gaza.
- The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will police 'Hamas-free humanitarian zones' in Gaza.
- The first zone is planned for Tel Sultan, near Rafah, housing civilians without Hamas affiliation.
- The Israeli army is expanding its control over Gaza, encompassing about 70% of the territory.
- Palestinian technocrats met with advisors from the 'Board of Peace' and the Tony Blair Institute in Cyprus.
- Discussions focused on reconstruction, security, and governance for Gaza, and ensuring donor transparency.
Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' initiative has announced the arrival of tactical vehicles near Gaza, intended for a multinational security force. This force, identified as the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), is slated to police newly established 'Hamas-free humanitarian zones' within Gaza. According to Israeli media, the first such zone is planned for Tel Sultan, near Rafah, and will house civilians deemed to have no weapons or affiliation with Hamas. The ISF, operating from the Israeli Amitai Camp, will be equipped with non-lethal weapons. Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues to expand its military control over the territory, now encompassing approximately 70% of Gaza.
Separately, the Palestinian technocratic body tasked with provisionally administering the occupied Gaza Strip, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), concluded two days of "highly productive" talks in Cyprus. The NCAG stated that working meetings were held with experts and advisers from the Board of Peace, the Office of the High Representative for Gaza, and the Tony Blair Institute. Discussions focused on efforts to "relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza," reviewing plans for reconstruction, security, and governance, and finalizing institutional arrangements for transparency and accountability to international donors.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem expressed hope that the arrival of the ISF marks a step towards implementing tasks such as separating Palestinian and Israeli forces and halting Israeli violations, urging the Board of Peace to proceed with ending the war.