MOSCOW, Oct 19: Egypt is expected to lead the international troop contingent to ensure security in the Gaza Strip, with Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Turkey also being considered as key troop contributors, The Guardian newspaper reported, citing sources.
The United States and European countries will submit a UN Security Council resolution granting the international stabilization force broad powers to oversee security in the Gaza Strip, the report said on Saturday. Washington insists that the contingent has a UN mandate without being a fully fledged UN peacekeeping force, the report added.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a declaration on the Gaza ceasefire. Hamas released all the 20 surviving hostages, who had been held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
In exchange, Israel released 1,718 Palestinian detainees from Gaza and 250 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After that, Hamas militants penetrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to the authorities, about 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side. Israel responded by launching an incursion into the Gaza Strip and placing the Palestinian enclave under a complete blockade.
(UNI)
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