U.S. says planning underway for international force in Gaza

Planning has begun for an international force to go into Gaza to stabilize security in the Palestinian enclave, senior U.S. advisers said.

One of the top requirements of U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan was formation of a U.S.-backed stabilization force. The U.S. has agreed to provide up to 200 troops to support the force without being deployed in Gaza, Reuters reported.

"Right now what we're looking to accomplish is just a basic stabilization of the situation. The international stabilization force is starting to be constructed," one adviser said.

Among the countries the U.S. is speaking to about contributing to the force are Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar and Azerbaijan.

The advisers said there were up to two dozen U.S. troops in the region to help set up the operation, serving in a "coordination, oversight" role.