Pakistan, Muslim nations seek clarity on Gaza force’s legitimacy

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — Pakistan and several other Muslim-majority countries are pressing for clarity on the mandate and legitimacy of a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, even as the United States intensifies efforts to shape a postwar security arrangement for the enclave devastated by sustained Israeli military operations.

The issue came into sharper focus on Tuesday as Pakistan urged the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and warned that continued Israeli settlement expansion and military actions are rapidly eroding the viability of a two-state solution.

Addressing a Security Council briefing on the Middle East under Resolution 2334, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Palestinians have endured “decades of illegal occupation marked by dispossession and denial of their inalienable rights,” adding that conditions in Gaza have deteriorated to an “unprecedented scale” over the past two years.

His remarks followed reports earlier in the day that Israel had issued new demolition orders for the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank, set to take effect this week. A senior official with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees described the development as “more devastating news.”

Diplomatic activity at the United Nations coincided with parallel discussions outside the body. On Tuesday, US Central Command hosted a conference in Qatar attended by dozens of partner nations to discuss plans for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza.

US media reports say the Trump administration is seeking to assemble a multinational force of roughly 10,000 troops, potentially under the command of a US general, with deployment expected to take much of the coming year.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington has been urging other countries to contribute troops, but no firm commitments have been secured so far. “There is deep sensitivity about legitimacy,” one Washington-based diplomat said on condition of anonymity. “No country wants its troops to be seen as imposing security rather than supporting peace.”

Adding to the debate, the Washington-based Stimson Center released a report on Tuesday cautioning that many countries remain reluctant to contribute forces to a Gaza security mission. The report said incorporating UN expertise and operating under established UN frameworks could help address concerns over legitimacy.

Pakistan and several Arab and Muslim states have consistently argued that any stabilization force must operate under a UN-mandated structure to ensure political legitimacy and broad international backing.

Diplomats familiar with the discussions say avoiding a security vacuum following a ceasefire is a central concern, making rapid deployment essential. That would require pre-positioned resources, streamlined command arrangements, and political authorization in advance.

Operational challenges also loom large. Military planners say the force would require robust logistical support, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and freedom of movement across Gaza. Force protection remains a major concern given the territory’s dense urban environment and the presence of multiple armed groups.

Clear rules of engagement, adequate defensive capabilities, and sustained political backing would be critical to the mission’s success, officials said.

Negotiations are ongoing over the scope of the ISF’s mandate. Proposed tasks include monitoring ceasefire compliance, supporting local security arrangements, and facilitating humanitarian access.

The extent to which the force would be authorized to use force remains highly sensitive, with some states advocating a robust mandate and others urging strict restraint.

Sustained political and financial support from major powers is widely seen as indispensable. Analysts note that past international missions have faltered when backing from key capitals weakened. “A stabilization force cannot succeed if it becomes politically isolated or underfunded,” a former UN peacekeeping official said.

Humanitarian access is expected to be a core objective of any deployment. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that insecurity and movement restrictions have severely hampered relief operations in Gaza. Diplomats say a stabilization force could help create conditions for large-scale aid deliveries and early reconstruction in heavily damaged areas.