Pakistan was not named among the five countries that committed personnel to the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC on Thursday.

The ISF is expected to secure reconstruction zones and support governance arrangements in Gaza following a ceasefire negotiated in October by the administration of US President Donald Trump with Qatar and Egypt. 

Major General Jasper Jeffers, the force’s American commander, said Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Morocco would contribute troops or police personnel. He added that an Indonesian officer would serve as deputy commander.

 

Morocco said it was prepared to deploy police and officers to the force. Indonesia earlier indicated it could send up to 8,000 troops, nearly half of the 20,000 personnel sought for the mission.

In Islamabad, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was awaiting clarity on the mandate of the ISF before taking a decision.

“We understand that a decision is awaited on the contours of the mandate of the International Stabilisation Force, and till such time, we’re not in a position to take any decision on this matter,” he said during a weekly briefing.

“Pakistan can be part of a peacekeeping mandate, but we would not be part of any disarming/ demilitarisation mandates.”

 

The second phase of the Gaza plan calls for the disarmament of Hamas. Speaking at the meeting, Trump said he hoped force would not be required, adding 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. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas would be disarmed “one way or the other.”

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international presence must monitor the ceasefire and prevent 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 other countries had pledged additional funding through the Board of Peace initiative.