'SECURITY FORCE' TO DISARM HAMAS

VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE BROACHES THORNY ISSUE OF MILITANTS' FATE IN GAZA PEACE DEAL

- STORY: LIAM STACK / NYT

An international security force that has yet to be formed would take the lead on disarming Hamas, Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday. That's one of the thorniest issues when it comes to reaching a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip.

The vice president spoke from Israel, at the end of a visit aimed at shoring up a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

In remarks to reporters, Mr Vance cautioned the task of disarming Hamas — which the militant group has long opposed — was “going to take some time and it’s going to depend a lot on the composition of that force.”

The ceasefire deal that came into effect this month was based on a proposal outlined in September by President Donald Trump, which includes a stipulation that a “temporary International Stabilisation Force” be deployed in Gaza.

But several countries have hesitated to commit troops to such a force because its exact mission in the devastated Palestinian enclave was unclear. The possibility that such a force might be drawn into direct conflict with Hamas fighters has also been a worry.