U.S. President Donald Trump stated on December 15, 2025, that, under his ceasefire and peace framework, the so-called International Stabilization Force (ISF) has already begun operating in some form. More countries are expected to join the effort to help maintain security and stability in Gaza. Trump emphasized that this represents an important step toward longer-term stability following the ceasefire.

The initiative stems from a Gaza peace plan proposed by Trump in September 2025, aiming to use international forces to maintain order, protect civilians, and support reconstruction. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on November 17, 2025, authorizing the establishment of a temporary international stabilization force and supporting a peace transition framework.

Currently, the U.S. Central Command is scheduled to host a meeting in Doha, Qatar, on December 16, with representatives from over 25 countries to discuss the force’s command structure, size, and scope of operations. U.S. officials said the force could potentially deploy as early as early 2026, but the exact timing and actions are still being coordinated. Its main tasks will focus on security, facilitating humanitarian aid channels, and supporting future governance, rather than directly confronting Hamas.

Despite the ceasefire and international intervention plans, the situation in Gaza remains uncertain, including the response of local armed groups, the feasibility of disarmament, and the final deployment schedule of the stabilization force. Analysts note that the force’s effectiveness will depend on the coordination of multiple political and security factors.

On December 15, 2025, Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty in court of two counts of conspiring with foreign forces and one count of conspiring to publish seditious materials under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

The trial was heard by three designated judges, beginning in December 2023 and lasting approximately 156 days, with all closing arguments concluded by August 2025.

The case involved Lai and three related companies of Apple Daily, charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to print seditious publications. Lai was first arrested in August 2020 for allegedly violating the National Security Law, with multiple court appearances and detention since then, totaling over five years in custody. The trial commenced in December 2023 and spanned around 156 days of evidence presentation and closing arguments. The prosecution submitted 161 articles, social media content, and communications with foreign individuals as evidence. Lai testified extensively, denying all charges and claiming his actions were protected under freedom of speech.

The prosecution argued that Lai was the mastermind, colluding with US officials and other foreign parties to request sanctions and reach agreements, while using programs and articles to spread seditious messages and encourage protest. The defense emphasized that Apple Daily, as a media organization, was exercising journalistic oversight, publicly expressing political viewpoints and supporting freedom of speech, which should not constitute conspiracy. They also argued that Lai’s appeals to foreign entities did not explicitly request sanctions, and the allegedly seditious content represented a very small portion of the overall publications, making it difficult to prove incitement.

Other former Apple Daily executives, journalists, and assistants involved in the case have pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial for related charges. Lai’s health significantly deteriorated during long-term detention, prompting his legal team to raise concerns with the court. Although Lai was found guilty, sentencing is scheduled for a later hearing, expected around January 2026, and the specific sentence has not yet been announced.

On December 6–7, 2025, well-known overseas Hong Kong commentator Jacky Fung publicly endorsed pro-establishment candidates ahead of the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections, including Yeung Che-yan of the Liberal Party, Gan Man-fung of the New People’s Party, and the highly controversial Chau Ho-ting of the DAB.

Fung claimed that his endorsements were based solely on “personal relationships” and not political maneuvering. On social media, he clashed with scholar Professor Chan Kin-man, who stated, “Jacky Fung is sharp, especially when criticizing elections that are manipulated, yet afterward he calls on people to vote for these ‘elite’ candidates”. Fung dismissed this remark as a shield for what he called the “hijacking of the youth movement”.

The incident triggered widespread discussion and backlash among Hongkongers. Since the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, political positions and statements online have become highly sensitive. Any recommendation, political commentary, or opinion can be amplified as an indication of “political leaning” or “media influence”. Fung appears in the capacity of a commentator/intellectual and is not a public officeholder or candidate. Scholars and netizens criticized his position as contradictory or inappropriate. His affiliated online platform, Glocal World, stated that these were “the host’s personal choices and opinions,” emphasizing that the platform’s stance would not be associated with Fung, and that they would follow up on the matter.