Pakistan’s Israel U-Turn: 20,000 Troops To Be Sent To Gaza In Post-War Stabilisation Mission

Last Updated:October 28, 2025, 12:19 IST

The reported mission would mark Pakistan’s first indirect engagement in Israeli security operations — a stunning reversal for a nation that has never formally recognised Israel.

Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif (front, R) along with the country’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir (front, L) (IMAGE: AFP)

In what is being described as a “historic and unprecedented realignment," Pakistan is preparing to deploy around 20,000 troops to Gaza as part of a post-war stabilisation and rehabilitation effort under Western oversight. Top intelligence sources have told CNN-News18 that this potential deployment follows a series of secret meetings between Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and senior officials from Israel’s Mossad and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Egypt earlier this month.

The reported mission would mark Pakistan’s first indirect engagement in Israeli security operations — a stunning reversal for a nation that has never formally recognised Israel.

According to top intelligence sources, the proposed arrangement envisions a “controlled Pakistani military presence in Gaza" under the guise of humanitarian rehabilitation and reconstruction. However, sources clarify that Pakistan’s real mandate would involve “neutralising remaining Hamas elements and stabilising the territory under Western instructions." The plan reportedly involves Pakistan working alongside Indonesia and Azerbaijan, which are being considered for limited peacekeeping or enforcement roles in a post-war Gaza administration framework led by Western and Arab intermediaries.

Sources reveal that under the terms of this understanding, Pakistani troops would act as a buffer force between Israel and Gaza’s remaining militant factions, providing a security umbrella while facilitating reconstruction and institutional restructuring. In return, Israel and the United States have allegedly promised Pakistan a package of economic incentives, including World Bank loan leniency, deferred repayment schedules, and financial support routed through Gulf intermediaries, according to the same sources.

The intelligence sources further disclosed that Pakistan’s cooperation is also being “quietly rewarded" with temporary diplomatic relief — including reduced Indian military pressure along the Line of Control and muted criticism from Western human rights bodies over Pakistan’s ongoing domestic crackdowns and intelligence excesses. One source described it as “a survival bargain — economic relief and global legitimacy in exchange for Western security service."

Adding to speculation, intelligence inputs claim that Pakistan has removed the line “Passport not valid for Israel" from the new edition of its passport, signalling a softening stance toward Tel Aviv. Israeli media, sources said, have already described Pakistan’s potential involvement as “delicate but strategically useful," though it has triggered unease among regional actors.

Iran, Turkey, and Qatar are expected to strongly oppose any Pakistani presence in Gaza, viewing it as an anti-Hamas, pro-Israel manoeuvre serving US and Israeli objectives, sources emphasised. Analysts warn that such a move could further strain Pakistan’s ties with the Arab street and embolden domestic Islamist groups who continue to view Israel as an adversary.

According to top intelligence sources, Washington and Tel Aviv see Pakistan’s military as an instrument for “regional balancing against Iran and indirect enforcement in Gaza without Israeli boots on the ground." For Islamabad, they said, “this is less about ideology and more about survival — a desperate geopolitical bargain for economic breathing space."

News world Pakistan’s Israel U-Turn: 20,000 Troops To Be Sent To Gaza In Post-War Stabilisation Mission

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