Israel rejects Pakistan Army role in Gaza force, cites Hamas 'links' to Pak-based terror groups

Israel has firmly opposed any involvement of the Pakistan Army in a proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza under a plan backed by US President Donald Trump, citing serious security concerns over alleged links between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror groups.

Speaking to NDTV, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar told Israel is “not comfortable” with Pakistani military participation in any future security arrangement for Gaza.

He stressed that Israel’s position remains unchanged on the need to completely dismantle Hamas before any political or reconstruction process can begin.

“There is an effort right now to try to create a situation in which we can move forward, but for that, Hamas must be dismantled. There is no way around it,” Azar said.

Israel has consistently maintained that lasting stability in Gaza is not possible unless Hamas is fully eliminated, and has reiterated that security considerations will determine its acceptance of any international force deployed in the region.

Azar reiterated Israel’s opposition to any role for the Pakistan Army in a proposed stabilisation and reconstruction force for Gaza, amid reports that the United States has approached several countries, including Pakistan, to contribute troops.

Responding to those reports, Azar said multiple countries have already expressed reluctance to participate in such a force, noting that many are unwilling to engage in combat with Hamas.

He warned that this hesitation undermines the effectiveness of any proposed stabilisation mechanism under current conditions.

When asked directly whether Israel would be comfortable with the Pakistan Army’s involvement in Gaza, Azar replied unequivocally, “No.”

He added that countries typically cooperate only with partners they trust and with whom they maintain proper diplomatic relations, stressing that such conditions do not exist in this case.

“This is not the situation right now,” Azar said, underlining Israel’s clear opposition to Pakistan’s inclusion in any future Gaza force.

Reiterating Israel’s core demands, Azar said the country’s immediate priorities remain the return of all hostages, including the remains of those killed, and the complete dismantling of Hamas’s military and political infrastructure.

He accused Hamas and countries sympathetic to it of attempting to sidestep these fundamental requirements.

“Either Hamas dismantles, or it will be impossible to implement the second phase of any plan,” Azar said, warning that if international pressure fails to achieve these objectives, Israel would have no option but to act unilaterally.

With inputs from agencies