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Pakistan’s participation in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza is groped in uncertainty. That is so owing to delay in categorically laying out key issues related to the force’s mandate, command structure and funding arrangements. That was acknowledged by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio too as he appreciated Pakistan’s nod to be part of the peace-brokering military muscles, and termed it as “key” to the de-escalation process in the region.
The entire modus operandi, nonetheless, is encrypted and that has created logistical obstacles and political hiccups for member states. It is promising, however, that out of the 70 states approached for seeking troops or funding, 19 have reportedly indicated their willingness to assist through troops, logistics or equipment, with international deployment in Gaza potentially beginning as early as next month.
Washington, as the honest-broker, must work hard on modalities in due course of time, and see to it that they do not come to act as a spanner in the works. While many of the Muslim and Arab states have reservations while working with Israel, or under its nomenclature, operational issues are in need of being addressed with due propriety to diplomatic norms and, respective, inter-state relations.
Rubio was on the spot as he remarked that “…once that’s in place, it will allow us to firm up the stabilisation force, …along with rules of engagement …and what their role will be in demilitarisation and so forth.” That is the crux to make one of the most challenging tasks a success, and ensure that perpetual peace returns to Gaza, and the broader question of Palestinian Statehood is addressed amicably.
Pakistan, which has been at the vanguard of UN Blue Helmets, is reportedly considering deploying 3,500 troops as part of the ISF. It was also part of a curtain-raiser huddle in Qatar, hosted by US Central Command, to discuss the ISF’s command structure and other unresolved operational issues. The need is to get-going in a sequence of logic, free from riddles of confrontation. Rubio and the State Department must astutely work on clarity in order to dispel lethargy and confusion.
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