Islamabad, Pakistan – Government sources reported that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is seeking assurances from the United States regarding the nature of any potential Pakistani troop contribution to the proposed international stabilization force for the Gaza Strip. He also stressed that the mission must be limited to peacekeeping and not involve disarming Hamas.
Peace Council meeting in Washington
Sharif is scheduled to participate in the inaugural meeting of the “Peace Council,” launched by US President Donald Trump, to be held in Washington, with delegations from approximately 20 countries in attendance.
According to sources, Islamabad wants clarification on the scope of the stabilization force’s mission, its command structure, and its chain of command before making a final decision on deploying troops. One source confirmed to Reuters that Pakistan is prepared to send troops only as part of a peacekeeping mission. The source added that Pakistan has emphasized that participation in any role related to disarming Hamas is “out of the question.”
Reconstruction plan and multinational force
The US plan for Gaza includes the formation of a force comprised of Muslim-majority countries to oversee the transitional phase. The plan also encompasses reconstruction and economic recovery in the Gaza Strip, with the possibility that the force would be mandated by the United Nations.
Analysts believe that Pakistan’s participation in the force would bolster it militarily, given the experience of its army. However, the Pakistani leadership faces domestic considerations related to public opinion, which supports sending troops to protect Palestinians but may oppose any role beyond a peacekeeping mission.
Internal and external balances
Analysts noted that Islamabad is seeking a balance between meeting US pressure to participate in the international force and avoiding potential domestic repercussions. They believe that if the mission fails to improve the humanitarian situation for Palestinians, these repercussions will become apparent.
Sharif is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the Peace Council meeting to discuss the details of the plan. This comes amidst international efforts to solidify the ceasefire and launch the reconstruction process in Gaza.
