The Gaza gamble: how Pakistan stepped into Israel’s shadow 

October 29, 2025

Sheena Sandhu

In what intelligence officials describe as a historic shift in regional alliances, Pakistan is reportedly preparing to deploy up to 20,000 soldiers to the Gaza Strip as part of an international stabilisation force. The development, if confirmed, would mark the first-ever operational engagement between Pakistan and Israel, countries that have never recognised each other diplomatically.

According to a report by CNN-News18, the move follows secret meetings between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and senior officials from Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad and the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The discussions are said to have laid the groundwork for Pakistan’s participation in a multinational force tasked with stabilising post-war Gaza.

Top intelligence sources cited by the channel described the initiative as a “historic and unprecedented realignment” for Pakistan and the broader West Asian region. The proposed deployment, they said, would place Pakistani troops under an international mandate led by the United States, with indirect coordination involving Israel.

Pakistan’s inclusion in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) is expected to serve multiple objectives: restoring security in Gaza, overseeing reconstruction, and neutralising any remaining Hamas fighters. While the official justification would emphasise humanitarian support and rebuilding efforts, sources indicated that the underlying mandate involves establishing a buffer zone between Israel and Palestinian armed groups and ensuring that Hamas’s military infrastructure does not re-emerge.

In Islamabad, the proposal has triggered intensive discussions within senior government and military circles. Officials familiar with the matter told Dawn newspaper that deliberations were at an “advanced stage” and that the leadership’s tone suggested a willingness to proceed. “There is a clear inclination to contribute to the ISF,” one official said, adding that Pakistan sees the deployment as an opportunity to deepen its strategic role in the Middle East and improve its standing with Western powers.

Under the arrangement reportedly brokered by Field Marshal Munir with Mossad and the CIA, Pakistani troops would operate alongside contingents from Indonesia and Azerbaijan. Their mission would form part of a larger US-led plan to stabilise Gaza following the disarming of Hamas. Last week, US Vice President JD Vance said the ISF would be “at the forefront of disarmament efforts” in Gaza, a key provision in President Donald Trump’s 20-point roadmap for the territory.

The plan envisions the ISF maintaining order in Gaza until administrative control can be handed over to the Palestinian Authority (PA). During this transition, Pakistani soldiers would form part of a controlled international presence, working to secure borders, support humanitarian logistics, and facilitate the reconstruction of civic institutions destroyed during the conflict.

Sources said that the initiative also carries significant economic incentives for Pakistan. In return for its participation, the United States and Israel have reportedly agreed to a package that includes financial leniency from the World Bank, deferred loan repayments, and targeted assistance through Gulf intermediaries. Such a package would come as a major relief for Pakistan’s struggling economy, which remains burdened by debt and low foreign reserves.

However, analysts warn that Pakistan’s deployment to Gaza would likely draw sharp reactions from regional powers that have historically supported Hamas. Iran, Turkey, and Qatar—longtime backers of the Palestinian militant group—are expected to oppose any Pakistani military presence perceived as aligned with Western or Israeli objectives. Tehran, in particular, could view the move as a betrayal of Islamic solidarity and a challenge to its influence in the Palestinian cause.

For Pakistan, the decision represents a delicate balancing act. While the potential rewards—both strategic and economic—are significant, the move could polarise opinion at home and abroad. Domestically, critics may view cooperation with Israel as a violation of Pakistan’s longstanding position on Palestine, while supporters see it as a pragmatic step toward regional engagement and financial stability.

If carried out, the deployment would mark a turning point in Pakistan’s foreign policy, signalling its readiness to align with a new security architecture emerging in West Asia. For the first time, Pakistani soldiers would serve under an international mandate that includes coordination with Israeli and American forces.

Whether this move brings long-term stability to Gaza or fuels further tensions in the region remains uncertain. But for Pakistan, the decision appears driven by a mix of strategic necessity, economic incentive, and a broader desire to redefine its role in the global order.

(The writer is a retired civil servant, views are personal.)