US President Donald Trump is planning to appoint a senior American general to command an international stabilization force in Gaza, according to Axios and senior Israeli officials.
Israeli sources reported that US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials during his visit to Israel this week that the Trump administration would lead the security forces in Gaza, with a major general appointed as commander.
One official added that Waltz personally knows the general and described him as "extremely capable."
Despite these plans, White House officials emphasize that no US ground troops will be deployed in Gaza. The United States has established a civilian-military monitoring center in Israel to oversee the ceasefire and coordinate humanitarian aid.
Trump is expected to chair a newly proposed "Peace Council" for Gaza, with senior advisers forming an international executive board. The president told reporters on Wednesday that the council would be officially announced in early 2026.
White House sources confirmed ongoing discussions on the formation of Gaza security forces, the Peace Council, and a future technocratic Palestinian government, though no final decisions have been made. The US is reportedly in the final stages of designing both the security and governance framework.
The plan reportedly includes appointing former UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov as the Peace Council’s on-ground representative, working alongside a prospective Palestinian technocratic government. Germany and Italy have already been invited to join the council, according to sources.
A European diplomat noted that the US has informed European countries that troop deployment will coincide with the establishment of the Peace Council, but no timeline has been confirmed. US officials warned that if allied nations do not contribute forces or support those that do, the Israeli military will maintain control over occupied Gaza areas.
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