ISLAMABAD: Israel has categorically rejected any involvement of thePakistan Army in the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, akey component of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed atending the prolonged conflict and facilitating reconstruction in thewar-torn enclave. The announcement came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts todeploy a multinational force to secure the territory following a fragileceasefire. Israeli officials emphasized that cooperation would only beextended to trusted partners with established diplomatic relations. Thisstance has raised questions about the feasibility of inclusiveMuslim-majority participation in post-conflict arrangements.
The rejection was articulated by Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar,in an exclusive interview with NDTV on January 9, 2026. When directly askedif Israel would accept the Pakistan Army’s role in Gaza, Azar respondedwith a firm “No,” underscoring that Israel can only work with states itfully trusts. He pointed to the absence of formal diplomatic ties betweenthe two countries and expressed serious reservations about Pakistan’spotential involvement.Azar stressed that no political or reconstructionprocess in Gaza could advance without the complete dismantling of Hamas asa prerequisite.
Trump’s comprehensive plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Councilin late 2025, envisions a phased approach to Gaza’s future. The first phaseincluded a ceasefire and hostage exchanges, while the second focuses onestablishing a Board of Peace, demilitarization, and the deployment of anInternational Stabilisation Force comprising up to 20,000 troops fromvarious nations. The force would support vetted Palestinian security units,secure borders in coordination with Israel and Egypt, and aid inhumanitarian and reconstruction efforts. Several Muslim-majority countries,including Pakistan, Indonesia, and Jordan, have been approached by theUnited States for contributions during planning meetings held in Qatar andother venues.
Pakistan has maintained a cautious yet open position on participation.Officials have indicated willingness to contribute if the mandate avoidspeace enforcement or direct disarmament of Hamas, focusing instead onhumanitarian stabilization and civilian protection. The Foreign Office hasawaited further clarifications from Washington on operational details,funding, and objectives. This approach reflects Pakistan’s longstandingsupport for Palestinian rights and its non-recognition of Israel, whichcomplicates any direct engagement in a force requiring coordination withIsraeli authorities.
The Israeli position aligns with broader security priorities in the region.Azar reiterated that dismantling Hamas is non-negotiable for any meaningfultransition, warning that premature involvement of untrusted actors couldundermine stability. Reports suggest that Israel has also expressedreservations about other nations like Turkiye, preferring contributors withproven track records in peacekeeping and no perceived affiliations withgroups hostile to its interests. This selectivity has sparked debates onwhether the force can achieve broad legitimacy without representation fromkey Muslim states.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the US has expressed gratitude forPakistan’s conditional offer to consider participation, describing it asvaluable to the initiative. However, the explicit rejection from Israelintroduces significant hurdles. Analysts note that excluding major playerscould limit the force’s effectiveness in gaining acceptance amongPalestinians and the wider Arab world. The plan’s success hinges onbalancing Israel’s security demands with the need for inclusive regionalbuy-in to ensure sustainable peace.
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As discussions continue, the controversy highlights the intricategeopolitical dynamics shaping Gaza’s future. The proposed force remains acritical element in Trump’s vision for a demilitarized Gaza leading towardeventual Palestinian governance. Yet, trust deficits and ideologicaldifferences continue to pose challenges, potentially delaying deploymentand reconstruction. Observers await further developments as stakeholdersnavigate these complexities in pursuit of lasting stability.
Source:https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/can-only-work-with-states-we-trust-israel-rejects-pakistan-army-role-in-gaza-10564950
Tags: Israel, Pakistan, Gaza, International Stabilisation Force, DonaldTrump, Hamas
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