Trump discusses possible troop involvement in Gaza with Pakistan
Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir plans to visit Washington in the coming weeks for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The visit is expected to be his third in the past six months and will focus on regional security issues and the situation in the Middle East. According to sources, one of the key topics of the talks will be Pakistan’s possible participation in stabilization forces in the Gaza Strip.
It is reported that the American side is exerting pressure on Islamabad to involve Pakistani troops in a potential international mission. The discussion concerns the formation of forces that, according to Washington’s concept, could be used to maintain control and ensure order in Gaza following possible changes in the current configuration of the conflict. The specific parameters of the mission and the format of Pakistan’s participation have not been officially disclosed.
Sources indicate that the initiative is being discussed amid ongoing hostilities and U.S. efforts to form an international coalition to manage the situation in the Gaza Strip. In this context, Pakistan is viewed as one of the countries with large armed forces and experience in international missions. At the same time, the issue of deploying troops remains sensitive for the Pakistani leadership given domestic and regional considerations.
Pakistan has traditionally expressed support for the Palestinian issue at the diplomatic level and has avoided direct military involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. Possible participation of Pakistani troops in Gaza could spark debate within the country and require serious political decisions. Islamabad’s official position following the upcoming meeting has not yet been announced.
From the U.S. side, the need to share responsibility among allies and partners in addressing regional security issues is emphasized. Washington believes that the involvement of foreign contingents could reduce the risks of direct U.S. military engagement and provide broader international legitimacy for a potential operation.
The talks between Trump and Munir may determine the future direction of U.S.-Pakistan military dialogue. The discussions are expected to be held behind closed doors, with official statements to follow at a later stage. The outcome of the consultations could influence the formation of the future security architecture in the Gaza Strip and the role of external actors in this process.