WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s offer to participate in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza. While he stopped short of confirming a firm troop commitment, Rubio said Pakistan’s potential involvement is “key” to the operation.
Read More: Pakistan ‘key’ to Gaza force, US says but no troop commitment yet
Pakistan attended a conference in Qatar last week hosted by the US Central Command, where nearly 45 countries discussed the ISF’s command structure and other operational details. Rubio noted that the mandate, funding, and rules of engagement for the stabilisation force are still under discussion, and no country has yet been asked to formally commit.
We’re very grateful to Pakistan for their offer to be a part of it’, US Secretary of State Rubio on
Pakistan’s participation in an international stabilization force to be deployed in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/7k4PyTDwfP— Rodium-A (@RodiumInsights) December 19, 2025
“I feel very confident that we have a number of nation-states acceptable to all sides of this who are willing to step forward and be part of that stabilisation force, and certainly, Pakistan is key, if they agree to do so,” Rubio said. The US has approached over 70 countries for troop contributions or financial support, with 19 countries reportedly expressing willingness to assist.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Pakistan is considering deploying up to 3,500 troops for the ISF, though the Foreign Office clarified that no final decision has been made. Rubio added that the next steps involve establishing a Board of Peace and a Palestinian technocratic group to oversee daily governance in Gaza, which will then allow deployment plans for the stabilisation force to be finalised.
The Gaza Strip has suffered extensive destruction after two years of conflict. A US-brokered peace agreement signed in October between Israel and Hamas included the formation of the ISF, predominantly composed of troops from Muslim-majority nations.
Read More: Pakistan backs US-led push for Gaza stabilisation force at UN
The UN Security Council endorsed the agreement in November through a US-drafted resolution, authorising the deployment of the stabilisation force. While international troops could arrive as early as next month, Hamas has rejected the resolution, objecting to plans for disarmament of Palestinian resistance fighters.