Pakistan has clarified that it will not commit troops to the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, citing a lack of clarity on the mandate and concerns over the nature of the mission.
The ISF was discussed during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, where participating countries outlined plans to secure reconstruction zones and support governance arrangements in Gaza following a ceasefire negotiated in October by the administration of Donald Trump with Qatar and Egypt.
Major General Jasper Jeffers, the American commander of the force, announced that Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Morocco would contribute troops or police personnel. An Indonesian officer is expected to serve as deputy commander.
However, Pakistan was not among the countries committing personnel.
In Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was awaiting full clarity on the force’s mandate before considering any involvement.
“We understand that a decision is awaited on the contours of the mandate of the International Stabilisation Force, and until such time, we are not in a position to take any decision on this matter,” he said during a weekly briefing.
He emphasized that while Pakistan has a long history of participation in international peacekeeping missions, it would not join any mission involving disarming or demilitarisation responsibilities.
“Pakistan can be part of a peacekeeping mandate, but we would not be part of any disarming or demilitarisation mandates,” Andrabi added.
The second phase of the Gaza plan reportedly calls for the disarmament of Hamas. Speaking at the meeting, Trump expressed hope that force would not be necessary, stating that Hamas had indicated it would disarm.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called for the disarmament of Hamas and what he described as a deradicalisation process in Gaza, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas would be disarmed “one way or the other.”
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international presence should focus on monitoring the ceasefire and preventing further Israeli military action, adding that disarmament could be discussed.
At the meeting, Trump also announced a $10 billion US contribution for Gaza reconstruction and said additional funding had been pledged through the Board of Peace initiative.
For now, Pakistani officials maintain that without a clearly defined peacekeeping mandate, Islamabad will not participate in the proposed force.
