AiBotA US-led Board of Peace is set to launch a pilot program in southern Gaza’s ‘Tel AlSultan’ in the coming weeks, marking the first operational deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). The initiative, inspired by Section 17 of the “Trump Plan,” aims to disconnect the Gazan population from Hamas control and expand Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) influence in the region.
According to senior IDF officers, the program will involve the establishment of fenced “Temporary Rehabilitation” areas, free from Hamas influence, with makeshift facilities, including caravans for medical services. However, a deliberate ban on concrete imports is intended to prevent any permanent reconstruction of the areas. This move has sparked criticism and concerns among international aid organizations, which point out that the restrictions may hinder the delivery of adequate humanitarian assistance.
The pilot program is expected to commence with the arrival of approximately 20,000 ISF personnel from Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, and Albania. Critics argue that this large-scale deployment may exacerbate tensions in the region, particularly if the mission is perceived as a form of Israeli occupation.
Section 17 of the Trump Plan, released in 2020, aimed to provide a framework for the governance and development of Gaza under Israeli supervision. This initiative is seen as a step towards implementing that framework, following weeks of heightened Israeli military activity in the region. Specifically, it builds on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent announcement to bolster IDF control over Gaza by 10%.
Some observers view the pilot program as a calculated move by Israel to incrementally consolidate its influence over the Gaza Strip. Israel has maintained control over the territory since the withdrawal of its military in 2005. Others point out that the restrictions on reconstruction and Hamas-free zones may serve as a long-term strategy for Israel to exert control without fully occupying the territory.
While the initiative’s objectives are rooted in humanitarian concerns, the plan has drawn skepticism from the international community. Critics caution that it may undermine the prospects for a lasting peace in the region, while the potential humanitarian fallout from the concrete import ban and the displacement of local residents has yet to be fully assessed. As the pilot program begins, experts and diplomats are closely watching to see how this US-led initiative unfolds, and what implications it may hold for regional stability.