Overview
- The proposal, presented this week to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Foreign Ministry, envisions Italy joining a UN-mandated International Stabilization Force for Gaza.
- Italy is being asked to commit to training a future Gaza police force rather than deploying troops, building on Carabinieri experience and EU missions such as EUPOL COPPS.
- Meloni has signaled caution due to constitutional constraints and concerns over a related Board of Peace statute that would grant sweeping powers to its president and require a $1 billion membership fee.
- Palazzo Chigi is awaiting a response from the White House on the Board of Peace framework, and U.S. officials say multiple countries are discussing participation in President Trump’s Gaza plan.
- European capitals are reassessing involvement in a U.S.-led civil-military coordination center tied to Gaza, and Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for its closure.