Three Arab states approached by the US about sending its soldiers to the Gaza Strip in a peacekeeping role were rejected. Two other Muslim countries expressed interest in participating in the mission that would begin after Israel ends its onslaught.
The Times of Israel reported that Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia refused US requests to send peacekeepers to Gaza. One Arab official said that Amman, Doha, and Riyadh viewed the mission as “protecting Israel from the Palestinians.”
Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have taken different positions and expressed a willingness to join such a mission. Dubai and Cairo’s participation, however, is contingent upon Washington’s involvement in any agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis.
The White House has been seeking Arab countries to engage in a post-war peacekeeping force in the besieged enclave. Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained to the regional nations that the US would establish and train the peacekeeping force.
However, it is unclear if the plan will materialize as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively undermining negotiations and has stated that he is unwilling to sign onto any agreement that commitsTel Aviv to permanently end its war.
Several top Israeli officials have called for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to ethnically cleanse the Strip. Netanyahu has argued that Israel needs to eliminate Hamas’s governing and military capabilities there. Although, top Israeli intelligence and military officials have said that goal is impossible.
