Trump administration officials are pressing forward with plans to recruit a multinational force of around 10,000 troops under a US general to stabilize postwar Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
Officials acknowledge, however, that assembling such a force will take much of the next year.
So far, no foreign country has committed troops, according to WSJ. Concerns remain that the mission could expand to include disarming Hamas terrorists who continue to operate in parts of the devastated enclave. Even Azerbaijan and Indonesia - two nations US officials say are close to joining - favor a narrower mandate that avoids potentially lethal operations.
Some US officials hope to secure commitments for up to 5,000 troops early next year, with a goal of reaching 10,000 by the end of 2026, reported WSJ. Others caution the force may never exceed 8,000 personnel. The embassies of Indonesia and Azerbaijan in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.
On Monday, the US State Department formally asked more than 70 countries to contribute militarily or financially. The appeal included close allies such as Italy and France, as well as smaller nations like Malta and El Salvador. Middle Eastern states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are already in talks to fund the effort, though officials note they “will require consistent engagement for specific asks.”
A US official said 19 countries have expressed interest in contributing troops or support such as equipment, transportation, or logistics. More than 25 nations are expected to meet in Qatar next week for a US-led session to discuss the force’s composition and mission scope.
President Donald Trump is expected to appoint the US general to command the force early next year. Officials stress that no US troops will operate inside Gaza, though some are stationed at a coordination center in Kiryat Gat, Israel.
The report noted that talks remain gridlocked as Hamas refuses to disarm and questions persist over Gaza’s future governance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump in Miami in late December to discuss next steps.
US officials emphasize that Trump’s peace plan was only adopted by the UN Security Council a month ago. “The Trump administration has made tremendous progress in record time in implementing President Trump’s 20-point peace plan and we have seen unbelievable interest from countries across the world to be a part of this historic effort to deliver a lasting peace in the Middle East,” White House spokesman Dylan Johnson said.