Recently hit by a winter storm, Gaza has seen some tents and temporary shelters submerged by floods triggered by heavy rains. On December 2nd, the area outside the tents housing residents of Gaza City was muddy. (Xinhua News Agency)

Two US officials revealed that an international force, which will form a UN-authorized stabilization force, might be deployed to the Gaza Strip as early as next month. However, a key point remains unclear: how to disarm Hamas.

The two anonymous officials stated on Saturday (December 12) that the international stabilization force will not engage in combat with Hamas. Multiple countries have expressed willingness to participate so far, and US officials are working to determine the force’s size, composition, stationing locations, training arrangements and rules of engagement.

The US Central Command will hold a meeting with partner countries in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on December 16 to map out plans for the Gaza international stabilization force. Representatives from more than 25 countries are expected to attend the meeting to discuss issues including the command structure of the international force in Gaza. Indonesia has indicated that it is ready to deploy up to 20,000 military personnel to take on tasks related to healthcare and reconstruction in Gaza. Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have also previously stated their willingness to join the force.

On November 17, the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution, deciding to deploy an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip to restore order, protect civilians, and pave the way for large-scale humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Israel currently controls approximately 53% of Gaza’s territory, with the remaining area under Hamas’ control, where nearly 2 million Palestinian civilians reside. The aforementioned US officials disclosed that the international stabilization force will be deployed in the parts of Gaza controlled by Israel. In line with US President Trump’s peace plan, as the international stabilization force establishes control and stabilizes the situation on the ground, Israel will gradually withdraw its troops "in accordance with demilitarization-related criteria, milestones and timetables."

Gaza has been battered by a winter storm since Wednesday night. Floods caused by heavy rains have submerged tents and temporary shelters in the region, further worsening the predicament of Palestinian civilians. Gaza’s civil defense authority stated on Friday that at least 16 people have lost their lives in disasters such as floods triggered by the downpours over the past 24 hours. Among the victims were three children who died due to a sharp drop in temperature, including a 9-year-old and an infant only a few months old.

James Elder, a spokesperson for the UN Children’s Fund currently in Gaza, told AFP that nighttime temperatures in the region could drop to around 8 degrees Celsius. He said, "The rain is heavy, and people living in temporary tents are exposed to violent winds and torrential rains. A single piece of plastic sheeting is far from sufficient to provide protection."

He also pointed out that the local sanitation conditions are "extremely poor," which may lead to the spread of preventable waterborne diseases.

Recently hit by a winter storm, Gaza has seen some tents and temporary shelters submerged by floods triggered by heavy rains. On December 2nd, the area outside the tents housing residents of Gaza City was muddy. (Xinhua News Agency)

Two US officials revealed that an international force, which will form a UN-authorized stabilization force, might be deployed to the Gaza Strip as early as next month. However, a key point remains unclear: how to disarm Hamas.

The two anonymous officials stated on Saturday (December 12) that the international stabilization force will not engage in combat with Hamas. Multiple countries have expressed willingness to participate so far, and US officials are working to determine the force’s size, composition, stationing locations, training arrangements and rules of engagement.

The US Central Command will hold a meeting with partner countries in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on December 16 to map out plans for the Gaza international stabilization force. Representatives from more than 25 countries are expected to attend the meeting to discuss issues including the command structure of the international force in Gaza. Indonesia has indicated that it is ready to deploy up to 20,000 military personnel to take on tasks related to healthcare and reconstruction in Gaza. Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have also previously stated their willingness to join the force.

On November 17, the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution, deciding to deploy an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip to restore order, protect civilians, and pave the way for large-scale humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Israel currently controls approximately 53% of Gaza’s territory, with the remaining area under Hamas’ control, where nearly 2 million Palestinian civilians reside. The aforementioned US officials disclosed that the international stabilization force will be deployed in the parts of Gaza controlled by Israel. In line with US President Trump’s peace plan, as the international stabilization force establishes control and stabilizes the situation on the ground, Israel will gradually withdraw its troops "in accordance with demilitarization-related criteria, milestones and timetables."

Gaza has been battered by a winter storm since Wednesday night. Floods caused by heavy rains have submerged tents and temporary shelters in the region, further worsening the predicament of Palestinian civilians. Gaza’s civil defense authority stated on Friday that at least 16 people have lost their lives in disasters such as floods triggered by the downpours over the past 24 hours. Among the victims were three children who died due to a sharp drop in temperature, including a 9-year-old and an infant only a few months old.

James Elder, a spokesperson for the UN Children’s Fund currently in Gaza, told AFP that nighttime temperatures in the region could drop to around 8 degrees Celsius. He said, "The rain is heavy, and people living in temporary tents are exposed to violent winds and torrential rains. A single piece of plastic sheeting is far from sufficient to provide protection."

He also pointed out that the local sanitation conditions are "extremely poor," which may lead to the spread of preventable waterborne diseases.