Arab countries show increasing support for peacekeeping force in Gaza

Arab nations are considering the possibility of a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as they work towards a postwar plan for the region. Previously hesitant to support such a force, Arab officials are now showing more openness to the idea, signaling their commitment to the peace process.

The draft proposals for a peacekeeping force have been shared with the US, with Arab diplomats suggesting that the force would need to be endorsed by the UN Security Council and deployed for an interim period to allow Palestinian authorities to develop their own security forces.

Despite this shift in attitude, it remains unclear which states would be willing to participate in the peacekeeping mission. Some regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar, are reportedly against deploying Arab peacekeepers.

The push for a peacekeeping force comes amid uncertainty over Israel’s intentions in the region, including the duration of its military presence in Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of the Palestinian Authority playing any role in the region, further complicating the postwar planning process.

As Arab foreign ministers discuss the possibility of a peacekeeping mission, the focus remains on finding a solution that leads to a two-state solution and regional stability. However, with no clear plan in place, the road to peace in the region remains uncertain.