US Peace Council Claims Israel Stalls Gaza Plan Amid Force Buildup
US Peace Council officials claim Israel is stalling the Gaza 20-point plan. Meanwhile, international stabilization force expansion and police training move forward.
Officials within US President Donald Trump’s Peace Council claimed on Wednesday that Israel is undermining the 20-point plan for Gaza—a framework it itself adopted and helped design. Speaking on the sidelines of the MEAD conference in Washington, the officials stated there is a severe sentiment that Israel is seeking excuses to stall progress on the initiative. The council assesses that no major developments will occur prior to the Israeli elections, yet it wishes to see signs of demilitarization progress beforehand.
"If we only had two weeks of quiet, we would want to show the beginnings of demilitarization to generate hope," the officials said. "But today there is not even a single day of quiet. Hamas violates the agreements, but Israel violates them too."
Force Buildup and Obstacles
Meanwhile, the Peace Council is building the infrastructure for the post-election phase in Israel. Behind the scenes, efforts are underway to expand the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Agreements taking shape include the deployment of 1,200 troops from Uganda, up to 500 from Burundi, up to 500 from Morocco, 25 from Kosovo, and 150 each from Kazakhstan and Albania. Indonesia, which previously considered sending 8,000 troops to Gaza, withdrew during the conflict with Iran but is now exploring a return.
The international force is initially slated to reach 2,500 troops, tasked with securing the entry of the Palestinian Technocratic Administration Committee (NCAG) into southern Gaza. Concurrently, the NCAG is recruiting Palestinian police officers who will be deployed after undergoing training in Egypt. Out of 220,000 candidates, Israel has approved 16,000 non-Hamas individuals, aiming to establish a police force of 10,000 to 12,000 personnel. Peace Council officials accused Israel of creating hurdles regarding the dispatch of police trainees to Egypt and the entry of foreign troops.
Hamas Status and Humanitarian Conditions
Council officials noted that approximately 90 percent of Gaza residents currently oppose Hamas, and the group's popularity is in a steep decline. Regarding water infrastructure, it was reported that residents currently receive only about 4 liters per day compared to the standard 14 liters, though a significant improvement is expected within a year. Children in Gaza have not studied regularly for some three years, and the technocratic committee is working to rebuild the education system.
"If we only had two weeks of quiet, we would want to show the beginnings of demilitarization to generate hope. But today there is not even a single day of quiet."
However, it was emphasized that UNRWA continues to operate over 120 schools and 60 clinics in Gaza, and the new committee will cooperate with the agency. Both the Peace Council and the technocratic committee harbor genuine concerns that Hamas might conceal weapons, necessitating strict checks and balances. The Peace Council demands that Hamas members surrender their weapons publicly and on video as a condition for immunity.
