International Stabilization Force (ISF)
The International Stabilization Force (ISF) is a multinational body designated to manage civilian and security stabilization in the Gaza Strip following major combat operations, operating under strict Israeli security conditions and legal immunity.
The International Stabilization Force (ISF) represents a strategic framework for the 'day after' in the Gaza Strip, designed to introduce international personnel into the enclave without compromising Israeli security imperatives. Unlike traditional UN peacekeeping missions, the ISF is structured to operate in close coordination with the IDF, with its deployment contingent upon the fulfillment of specific Israeli benchmarks.
In July 2026, the Israeli Security Cabinet advanced the force's operational status by approving legal immunity for its personnel under the International Organizations Law. This legal shield is a prerequisite for the participation of foreign states, providing their representatives with protections similar to those of diplomatic or recognized international missions. The initial phase of the ISF deployment is characterized by a modest footprint, involving approximately 200 personnel primarily from friendly nations, including Uganda and Morocco. This selection reflects an Israeli preference for regional partners and nations that do not maintain an adversarial stance toward Jerusalem.
Central to the ISF's mandate is the preservation of the 'Yellow Line'—a security boundary maintained by the IDF. Israeli political leadership has emphasized that the presence of the ISF does not signal an immediate IDF withdrawal. Instead, the force's entry is conditioned on the total disarmament of Hamas and the broader demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. To maintain tight sovereign control over the process, every individual entry of ISF personnel requires the tripartite approval of Israel's Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Foreign Minister.
Infrastructure for the force is already being established, with reports of outposts in the Netzarim Corridor and logistics sites near the Kerem Shalom crossing. The ISF's primary role is expected to involve humanitarian oversight, civil administration support, and stabilization tasks that prevent a power vacuum while ensuring that Hamas cannot reconstitute its military or governance capabilities.