CENTCOM Gaza conference does not reach decision on peacekeeper mandate — official

The conference in Doha today on the planned international security force for Gaza failed to make key decisions on the deployment of the force and its mandate, a European official tells The Times of Israel.

The conference began with a presentation by a senior US officer on the American goals for the nascent force and on a proposed mission for the force, says the official, adding that the discussion was a continuation of a recent initial meeting in Washington, DC, says the official.

The countries at the conference were then asked to declare whether they were interested in joining the force and whether they would go as far as confirming their participation, says the European official.

The forum also discussed next steps, including a follow-up meeting of military chiefs of staff in January. The location of that meeting is not yet known.

There is still “no clear answer” on the force’s mandate and whether it will be involved in disarming Hamas, says the European official.