Egypt Proposes Four‑Nation Peacekeeping Force for Gaza 

Egypt is pressing to lead a multinational peacekeeping force for the Gaza Strip comprised of troops from Egypt, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Indonesia, The National reported, citing diplomatic sources. According to the report, the mission would number at least 4,000 personnel and be equipped only with small arms and armored vehicles, explicitly excluding heavy weaponry.

The planned force would initially deploy to areas from which the Israel Defense Forces withdrew under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, the sources said. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abd al‑Aati told The National that the mission’s objective would be “to keep the peace, not to enforce it,” and that Cairo is working to secure a United Nations Security Council resolution “as soon as possible” to authorize the deployment.

Abd al‑Aati also described the role of a proposed “Peace Council,” announced by President Trump, as a body to oversee the flow of aid money and coordinate with Israel. He insisted that it would be unacceptable for outsiders to run Gaza administration, stressing that both the task force and the council are intended to support Palestinians in managing their own affairs. He said the initiative would include training and equipping Palestinian police and security forces.

While Abd al‑Aati said Egypt would participate in any viable format, he insisted the task force must receive a clear mandate from the Security Council and that its authorities be precisely defined.

Diplomatic and security details, including timelines, rules of engagement and troop‑contributing countries’ exact commitments, have not been made public and will likely depend on further negotiations in New York and with regional partners.

It goes without saying that none of these countries are Israel's friends, and to put 4000 of their soldiers into Gaza is an Israeli tragedy waiting to happen.