President Donald Trump upped the pressure on Hamas by laying out a muscular response should the fragile Gaza ceasefire unravel, and previewing a multinational force to stabilize the region.
According to the Daily Mail, speaking from Air Force One during a stop in Doha, Trump warned Hamas not to make the mistake of breaking its agreement with Israel, while detailing plans for an international coalition tasked with securing Gaza’s borders and rebuilding its infrastructure.
Trump's remarks came after a meeting with Qatar’s top leadership, including Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, underscoring Qatar’s growing role in the region’s future stability.
Trump Unveils Multi-National Stabilization Initiative
A central pillar of Trump’s 20-point Middle East peace plan is the International Stabilization Force, or ISF, aimed at replacing military control in Gaza with dedicated peacekeeping operations involving several Muslim-majority countries.
The ISF, as described by Trump, would take over internal security duties in Gaza, control its border access with Egypt and Israel, block the flow of weapons, and accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid and resources to facilitate long-overdue rebuilding efforts. “The international stabilization force will enter Gaza soon. This is peace in the Middle East,” Trump stated, projecting confidence in the coalition’s ability to hold the ceasefire line and keep any resurrection of terrorism at bay.
Key Arab Nations Join Force for Regional Stability
The lineup of ISF contributors reads like a who’s who of regional influence: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, and Jordan have all signed on to participate in Gaza stabilization—each bringing both military oversight and political credibility to the initiative.
Israel won’t disappear from the scene entirely. The IDF plans a gradual transition of authority to the ISF, with a small perimeter presence staying behind to stamp out any threats that may try to regroup in the shadows.
Trump appeared especially bullish on Qatar’s willingness to commit troops if needed, calling Emir Tamim “one of the greatest rulers of the world, not just the Middle East.” That's not flattery—it’s strategic signaling to both allies and adversaries alike.
Ceasefire Stands But Risks Linger
Tensions remain high due to fears that the ceasefire agreement hammered out earlier this month could implode—an outcome Trump warned would provoke a severe response against Hamas. “If it doesn’t hold, they will have a very big problem,” he said, driving home the message that unpredictability won’t be tolerated.
Emphasizing the stakes, Trump added, “The ceasefire will hold. If not, we will deal with Hamas very harshly.” That’s not a red line; it’s a freight train heading for anyone who strays outside the lines of agreement. Vice President JD Vance also made headlines this week during his visit to Israel, intended as a show of resolve and reassurance. There, he rejected rumors that Washington pulls Tel Aviv’s strings—a particularly annoying narrative that refuses to die.
American-Israeli Partnership Clarified
“The United States does not want Israel to be a vassal state,” Vance said, pushing back on speculation that America is overly dictating Israeli security decisions. It's a familiar smear often tossed around by folks who wouldn't know a strategic alliance if it hit them over the head with a map.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the sentiment after his own bilateral with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel. This is hogwash,” Netanyahu said, spelling it out for the peanut gallery. The prime minister emphasized that the relationship is built on mutual values and goals—a view aligned with Trump’s framing of the ISF as not just a peacekeeping band-aid but a commitment to “enduring peace,” as he put it.
Strategic Diplomacy Replaces Dangerous Illusions
Saturday’s announcements mark not just a show of military planning but disciplined diplomacy. Trump’s emphasis on regional partners taking the lead in Gaza flips the long-failed playbook of foreign dependency and central control.
By empowering local players with shared interests and skin in the game, the ISF shifts the burden and opportunity for peace to those most directly affected—while keeping America in the loop without shouldering the entire job. It’s a peace strategy informed by realism, not idealism. And for once in recent memory, the Middle East might just have a shot at staying quiet, not because it’s been silenced, but because it’s been stabilized.
