WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday night that he believes the deployment of an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip is „very close“. According to Reuters, the mission is to be a key part of a post-war plan for Gaza that the White House is preparing in cooperation with allies in the Middle East. Diplomatic sources said Washington was starting negotiations in the UN Security Council on the mandate of the mission, which would provide security oversight, training for Palestinian police and support for rebuilding the territory.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump said at a press conference that „Gaza is developing very well“ and that the international force is signing up „very powerful countries“. According to the proposal, the mission should operate under a UN mandate for two years and have the authority „take all necessary measures“ to ensure safety.
U.S. diplomats also said they were in talks with Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates about participating. However, Israel has rejected the participation of Turkish armed forces, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which could complicate the final shape of the mission.
As Reuters reported, the United States intends to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council later in November. If approved, the first troops could move into the Gaza Strip within weeks. The aim is to stabilise the situation after the end of the Israeli military operation, protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid.
During the same speech, Trump also commented on Iran. According to Reuters, he said that Tehran had „asked“ whether US sanctions could be lifted and that he himself was „open to discussion“. The president said Iran „he has very harsh US sanctions that make it difficult for him to do what he wants to do“, and that the United States is prepared to act if Tehran shows „goodwill“.
However, there has been no official confirmation from the Iranian side that Tehran has actually requested the lifting of sanctions. As analysts point out, even if it were to do so, it would be a complex process requiring concrete steps - in particular, curbs on the nuclear programme and a return to international inspections. Meanwhile, the Iranian leadership recently questioned the very possibility of resuming talks with the United States, as the AP recalled.
Experts say both of Trump's foreign policy lines - the Gaza stabilisation mission and the possible easing of sanctions on Iran - could indicate Washington's desire to take a more active role in regional stabilisation after years of conflict. But analysts warn that both issues remain highly sensitive: Gaza is still affected by a humanitarian crisis and Tehran maintains a hardline stance against American influence.
But Trump's team, according to White House sources, believes that a combination of diplomatic pressure and offers of cooperation can re-establish the United States as a major mediator in Middle East negotiations. The coming weeks, during which a draft resolution on an international mission is due to be formally submitted to the United Nations, will show whether he will succeed.
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