US provides $206 million for Gaza force despite deadlocked peace plan
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The Trump administration told Congress it is sending more than $206 million for a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force, according to State Department notifications seen by Reuters. The funding is the first significant U.S. spending on the International Stabilization Force and signals determination to press ahead with the Gaza roadmap even as Israel and Hamas have balked at conditions needed to advance the plan.
Key Facts
- The State Department informed Congress in two July 30-dated notifications that it will provide $200 million for the International Stabilization Force's equipment, infrastructure, vehicles and operational costs.
- An additional $6 million in the notifications would repurpose U.S. armored vehicles to support the International Stabilization Force.
- The $206 million is the first concrete U.S. spending on the peacekeeping force.
- The peace plan has largely stalled since the late-July agreement, with both Israel and Hamas refusing to fulfill conditions needed to advance the deal.
- Trump's envoy Jared Kushner met with Hamas officials on Sunday and Israeli leaders on Monday in Jerusalem but left without a breakthrough.
The Funding Notification
The State Department informed Congress in two July 30-dated notifications seen by Reuters that it will provide $200 million for the International Stabilization Force's equipment, infrastructure, vehicles and operational costs. An additional $6 million would repurpose U.S. armored vehicles to support the force. The notifications, addressed to key appropriations and foreign affairs committees in Congress, had not been previously reported. One notification said the final composition of the force was still being negotiated. The funding is the first concrete U.S. spending on the peacekeeping force and signals the administration's determination to press ahead with Trump's Gaza roadmap.
Stalled Peace Roadmap
Trump set up a Board of Peace to oversee his plan to end Israel's war in Gaza and rebuild the shattered territory. His plan envisioned the peacekeeping force deploying to Gaza after Israeli forces withdraw and training new Palestinian police forces and supporting aid deliveries. Since the announcement of an agreement in late July, the effort has stalled, with both Israel and Hamas refusing to fulfill conditions that would allow the deal to move ahead. Much of Gaza remains in ruins from two years of war triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Diplomatic Impasse
Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner held meetings with Hamas officials on Sunday and Israeli leaders on Monday in Jerusalem but left without a breakthrough. Israel and Hamas both stood firm on key demands. An official from the Board of Peace described the last two weeks as a period of 'significant advances' and said the board had sought additional funding pledges as a result. The official, granted anonymity to speak freely with media, said the funding was needed for construction of a base for forces inside Gaza among other reconstruction projects.
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US provides $206 million for Gaza force despite deadlocked peace plan
