Trump officials plan to build 5,000-person military base in Gaza, files show

The US administration is planning a 5,000-person military base for the multi-national International Stabilization Force (ISF) set to be deployed in Gaza, The Guardian reported after reviewing relevant contracting records.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted in November, the ISF will be formed under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, as a temporary force, serving as “the long-term internal security solution.”

The ISF will work with Israel, Egypt, and newly trained Palestinian police to secure borders, stabilize Gaza, demilitarize the strip, dismantle militant infrastructure, and decommission weapons from non-state groups, according to the resolution.

They will also be assigned with protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, supporting and training Palestinian police, coordinating humanitarian corridors.

As stability is established, the Israel forces should eventually withdraw from Gaza under the resolution.

The ISF will be established by the Board of Peace (BoP) and its member states. The BoP is part of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, established in January to supervise a new committee of Palestinian technocrats that are set to manage daily life in the enclave.

According to BoP’s contracting records reviewed by The Guardian, the planned military base will span more than 350 acres (1.4 square kilometer/337 feddans).

A source familiar with the planning said a small group of international construction companies with experience in conflict zones have already visited the site.

The contracting documents were issued with assistance from US contracting officials, according to the report.