Washington moves to appoint US General to lead International Force in Gaza

The administration of US President Donald Trump is moving to appoint a US general with the rank of major general to lead the international force slated for deployment in Gaza to ensure security in the coming phase, according to US and Israeli sources who spoke to Axios.

This development is a clear indication of the expanding US role in post-war arrangements and reconstruction, in the largest civilian, political, and military project undertaken by Washington in the Middle East in decades.

The move comes as part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes a further Israeli military withdrawal, the deployment of the international force, and the commencement of operations under the new governing structure led by the Trump-appointed "Peace Council," following the Security Council's approval of both the council and the international force.

According to Israeli officials, Washington's ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, informed the Israeli leadership that the US administration would assume command of the ISF and would appoint a general "trusted by Washington" to reassure Tel Aviv about the nature of the force's operations and the standards it would adhere to.

Two US officials confirmed that the move is under discussion, despite the White House's assertion that there are no US troops inside Gaza.

According to diplomatic sources, the United States is working to finalize the details of the international force's structure and the new administrative framework. Former UN envoy Nikolay Mladenov is reportedly being considered for the position of the "Peace Council's" representative in Gaza, while Western countries, including Germany and Italy, are being invited to join the council.

ANHA