Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan in talks to join Gaza stabilisation force

Indonesia, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan are in early talks to provide troops for an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip, according to U.S. officials and reporting by Politico.

The proposed deployment is a central element of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at securing a lasting end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The discussions, which remain fluid, centre on forming a temporary multinational force to help secure Gaza following a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

“These are the countries that have expressed the most interest,” said a current U.S. defence official, emphasising that no firm commitments have yet been made.

Trump’s proposed Gaza stabilisation force, aimed at ending the Hamas-Israel conflict and aiding demilitarisation and reconstruction, would be a non-U.S. contingent supporting trained Palestinian police with input from Egypt and Jordan.

The U.S. has stated that no American troops will operate inside Gaza.

At the Gaza International Peace Summit on 13 October, Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto showed support for the initiative, posing for photos and reaffirming U.S.-Indonesia cooperation.

However, significant logistical and political challenges remain.

Coordinating with Indonesia and Azerbaijan — countries outside U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, adds complexity, a former U.S. defence official said. 

The White House and the embassies of Indonesia, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan declined to comment on the ongoing talks.

Meanwhile, roughly 200 U.S. troops have been deployed to Israel under CENTCOM to assist with ceasefire maintenance and coordination.

These personnel are operating from a new civil-military coordination centre north of Gaza, alongside Egyptian, Qatari, and Emirati troops. Egyptian forces are also working to recover the remains of hostages.

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