Trump plans to appoint US general to lead Gaza security force, Axios reports

The Trump administration is planning to appoint an American two-star general to command the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two US officials and two Israeli officials.

The New Arab could not immediately confirm the report.

A United Nations Security Council resolution, adopted on November 17, authorized a Board of Peace and countries working with it to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, who visited Israel this week, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials that the Trump administration is going to lead the ISF and appoint a two-star general as its commander, Axios said.

The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to the latest claims.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that an announcement about which world leaders will serve on the Gaza Board of Peace should be made early next year.

The resolution, drafted by the US, described the Board of Peace as a transitional administration "that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for the redevelopment of Gaza” in line with Trump’s 20-point peace plan to end the war on the Palestinian enclave. 

On Tuesday, Husam Badran, a member of Hamas' political wing, threatened to not move forward into the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement until more pressure is placed on Israel to open up a key border crossing, cease deadly strikes and allow more aid into the Palestinian territory.

The accusation came as Israel’s government says it’s ready to move into the next, more complicated phase of the ceasefire deal – even as it has called on the group to return the remains of the last Israeli captive held in Gaza.

Badran called for the "full implementation of all the terms of the first phase" before moving forward, including an end to what he called the continuing demolition of Palestinian homes in the part of the territory still controlled by Israel.

Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire took hold on October 10, according to Palestinian health officials.

Hamas has very little leverage in negotiations and could come under heavy pressure from other regional leaders like Qatar and Turkey to not pump the brakes on the fragile truce.