Israel Reportedly Halting Construction of International Force Base in Gaza

Israel is reportedly delaying the establishment of a military base in the Gaza Strip intended to house approximately 150 soldiers for a planned international stabilization force, according to a Wednesday report by The Guardian, citing a source with direct knowledge of the project. Israel is allegedly preventing contractors and trucks from entering Gaza to begin construction, thereby stalling the initiative. Officials involved with the project, associated with a council initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, estimate that progress may resume after the upcoming Israeli elections.

The base's construction is a foundational step for deploying an international stabilization force in Gaza. In early August, The Guardian reported that Arkel International, a Louisiana-based company with prior U.S. government contracts, including in Iraq, was selected to build the facility. Although the contract was not finalized at that time, it was presented as part of the preparations for the international forces' deployment.

However, nearly two months later, construction has not commenced. The source told The Guardian that Israel is blocking border access for the necessary contractors, vehicles, and equipment. Without the base, the broader plan by the council cannot proceed, as the presence of the international force is considered a prerequisite for the entry of work crews and construction materials into Gaza.

The planned base is described as a temporary, fortified compound, approximately 100 by 100 meters, situated in an area formerly used by the American-sponsored Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), which ceased operations in October 2025. It was designed to accommodate rotating groups of about 150 armed soldiers, part of a larger force of around 500 soldiers from Morocco and Kosovo. Previous reports indicated the site would be in an area under IDF control, about 1.5 kilometers from the Israeli border, with a rapid evacuation route in case of attack.

This delay adds to broader challenges in implementing Trump's Gaza plan. The Washington Post reported last week that individuals within the council are blaming the Israeli government for hindering the entry of international forces and trained Palestinian police officers. The council has prepared 66 reconstruction projects and allocated at least $280 million for urgent needs, but work cannot begin without security and entry arrangements being finalized.

The Peace Council, established by Trump following the October 2025 ceasefire, is tasked with leading Gaza's stabilization and reconstruction. In September, the council presented an initial six-month plan of $2.45 billion, part of a larger ten-year reconstruction program estimated at $71 billion. However, the source emphasized that without the international stabilization force, the necessary security for commencing work cannot be guaranteed. The council reportedly believes the Israeli government will permit the project to move forward after the Knesset elections in less than two weeks, though this remains an estimation rather than an Israeli commitment. The Israeli government, the IDF, and the Peace Council declined to comment on the report.