Should Avoid Involvement
Should Avoid Involvement: Many people question whether Pakistan should send troops to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The US wants ISF to be a multinational force led by an American general. Hamas must approve it. Without Hamas’ agreement, countries could get pulled into conflict with the Palestinian group.
Pakistan’s Decision
The Pakistani government says it is considering joining, but it has not decided yet. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is “definitely ready” to contribute. He added that disarming Hamas is not Pakistan’s job. He also mentioned that the Prime Minister, after consulting the Field Marshal, plans to contribute. A firm decision will follow once ISF’s mandate and terms are clear.
Mandate Discussions
Pakistan has discussed the mandate, structure, and other issues with the US for months. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Pakistan for the offer but admitted discussions about command, funding, and mandate are ongoing. Several other Muslim countries that showed interest have also delayed committing troops. On December 16, Pakistan attended a US Central Command conference in Doha to discuss ISF deployment. The meeting failed to agree on the mandate. Concerns remain, especially if the mandate requires disarming Hamas or other resistance groups.
Gaza Situation
To decide, Pakistan must understand the situation in Gaza. The peace process has stalled due to disagreements between Israel, Hamas, and the US. President Trump invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Mar-a-Lago on December 29 to resolve some issues. The second phase of the plan involves creating governance in Gaza, further Israeli withdrawal, disarming Hamas, and deploying ISF. However, the Board of Peace and the technocratic committee for Gaza have not been announced. Delays show lack of clarity and consensus.
Ceasefire Fragile
In Gaza, the ceasefire is weak. Israel breaches it daily, continues military actions, and builds settlements. Over 400 Palestinians have died since October. Israel often ignores agreements and may never fully withdraw from Gaza. Hamas is unlikely to disarm.
The ISF is not a UN peacekeeping force. It has a vague UN mandate without supervision. It will enforce peace, not maintain it. The force will work closely with Israel, which must approve participating countries. Hamas rejected the plan. They say any force should only monitor borders under UN supervision. Assigning it to disarm resistance groups removes neutrality and aligns it with the occupation. Talks remain stalled, and Hamas’ objections must be addressed for ISF to work.
Troop Risks
Pakistan should not participate if the mandate requires policing Hamas. Pakistani troops would face direct conflict with Palestinians and trigger public backlash. Cooperation with Israel, which has fired on UN peacekeepers before, could endanger soldiers. Working with Israel may be seen as recognition, moving Pakistan closer to formal ties without progress toward a Palestinian state. This goes against Pakistan’s long-standing policy.
Enforcing a poorly defined peace plan is risky. The plan could become messy and inconclusive. It could put Pakistani soldiers in danger. Pakistan must prioritize national interests and make any decision transparently.
Published in Dawn,29th December 2025
