Pakistan’s potential involvement in the US-led postwar Gaza ‘International Stabilisation Force’ (ISF) has raised alarms over the impact on efforts to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure. The move, if realized, could inadvertently bolster Hamas’s survival by legitimizing the terror group through security responsibilities.
Israeli officials have disclosed that three countries, including possibly Indonesia, have been approached by Washington to join the postwar Gaza stabilization force. Pakistan, known for not recognizing Israel and not labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization, could jeopardize the force’s objectives by potentially supporting Hamas’s ‘resistance’ activities.
The Gatestone Institute report highlighted Pakistan’s historical ties with Islamist militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), aligning closely with Hamas’s ideologies. This raises doubts about Pakistan’s ability to effectively counter Hamas in a postwar Gaza scenario, given its alleged support for terror outfits.
Concerns also arise over the risk of intelligence leaks if Pakistani units are deployed in Gaza. There are fears that sensitive information could be shared with Hamas or its allies, potentially compromising security efforts in the region. Previous reports have suggested ISI involvement in facilitating Hamas activities across South Asia, further complicating the situation.
