Gaza -- International troops could be deployed in the Gaza Strip as early as next month to form a UN-authorised stabilisation force, two US officials told Reuters, but it remains unclear how Palestinian militants Hamas will be disarmed.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would not fight Hamas. They said lots of ‍countries had ​expressed interest in contributing and US officials are currently working out the size of the ISF, composition, housing, training ‍and rules of engagement.

An American two-star general is being considered to lead the ISF but no decisions have been made, the officials said. 

eployment of the force is a key part of the next phase of ​US President Donald ​Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Under the first phase, a fragile ceasefire in the two-year war began on Oct 10 and Hamas has released hostages and Israel has freed detained Palestinians. 

“There is a lot of quiet planning that’s going on behind the scenes right now for phase two of the peace deal,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Dec 11. “We ‍want to ensure an enduring and lasting peace.”