Trump Administration Allocates $206 Million for Gaza Peacekeeping Force

President Donald Trump’s administration is allocating more than $206 million to support a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force, marking the first major U.S. financial commitment to its stalled Gaza reconstruction and security plan.

According to July 30 notifications sent by the State Department to Congress, $200 million will fund equipment, infrastructure, vehicles and operating expenses for the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Another $6.3 million will be used to repurpose nine U.S. armored personnel carriers for the mission.

The ISF is expected to conduct security operations in Gaza, assist with demilitarization and facilitate humanitarian aid and reconstruction supplies. Its final composition, however, remains under negotiation.

Trump established a Board of Peace to oversee his Gaza peace plan, which calls for international forces to secure areas following Israeli military withdrawals, train Palestinian police and support reconstruction efforts.

Implementation has faced significant obstacles despite an agreement announced in late July. Hamas agreed to phased disarmament but maintains that Israel must first halt attacks and withdraw its forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected withdrawing before Hamas is fully disarmed.

Trump envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas officials on Sunday and Israeli leaders in Jerusalem on Monday, but the discussions failed to resolve the key disagreements.

Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have committed troops to the International Stabilization Force, while Egypt and Jordan have agreed to train Palestinian police. No deployment date has been confirmed.

The additional U.S. funding includes armored vehicles originally intended for Nepal, with Albania and Kosovo expected to receive the equipment initially.

Countries participating in the initiative previously pledged $17 billion toward Gaza reconstruction, although only a portion of those commitments has reportedly been received.

Gaza remains heavily damaged after two years of conflict that began with the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. While a ceasefire has reduced overall violence, Israeli attacks have continued and Hamas has yet to disarm.

Netanyahu and Kushner have also agreed that large-scale Gaza reconstruction should not begin until Hamas relinquishes its weapons, leaving the broader peace initiative facing substantial political and security challenges.