Azerbaijan weighs U.S. request to join Gaza stabilization force

BAKU, Azerbaijan (MNTV) — The United States has asked Azerbaijan to join a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza once the fighting ends, sources told AnewZ.

According to the sources, Baku has not yet made a final decision. Azerbaijani officials insist that any participation must be based on a United Nations Security Council resolution granting international legitimacy and outlining a clear mandate.

Unlike a traditional UN peacekeeping mission, the proposed International Stabilization Force would be a U.S.-backed multinational effort modeled after post-conflict operations in the Balkans. Its goals would include securing key sites, facilitating humanitarian aid, and preventing the resurgence of armed conflict while governance structures are rebuilt.

The United States is not expected to deploy its own troops. Instead, Washington is seeking a coalition of trusted regional and international partners. Azerbaijan, known for its balanced diplomacy and prior peacekeeping experience, is viewed as a potential contributor.

Israeli media have reported that the idea was recently discussed between U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington and its allies weigh security options for post-war Gaza.

Azerbaijan has maintained a measured stance on Gaza, coordinating with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Officials in Baku have stressed that Arab nations must first agree on a unified vision for Gaza’s governance before external actors intervene.

Diplomatic attention now shifts to New York, where discussions on the stabilization mission are expected to intensify. As the Middle East edges toward a fragile calm, Azerbaijan finds itself at the intersection of regional responsibility and growing international expectation.