Israel says 'NO' to Pakistan Army in Gaza force: Why Tel Aviv is ‘not comfortable’ trusting Asim Munir on Hamas

An aerial view shows the Al-Maqussi Towers district, heavily damaged by massive Israeli bombardment over the past two years, in northwestern Gaza City on October 15, 2025, during a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions. (Photo by AFP)

Israel has firmly rejected any involvement of the Pakistan Army in a proposed Gaza stabilisation force, citing lack of diplomatic ties, concerns over Pakistan’s links to terror networks, and distrust, insisting Hamas must be dismantled before any transition.

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Israel has drawn a firm red line against any involvement of the Pakistan Army in a proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, dealing a setback to efforts under US President Donald Trump’s plan to shape a post-war security arrangement in the territory. Israeli officials say Pakistan’s record, its lack of diplomatic ties with Israel, and long-standing concerns over connections between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror networks make such participation unacceptable.

Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar told NDTV that Israel is “not comfortable” with Pakistani military involvement in any Gaza security framework. He made it clear that without the total dismantling of Hamas, there can be no political transition or reconstruction in Gaza.

“There is an effort right now to try to create a situation in which we can move forward, but for that, Hamas must be dismantled. There is no way around it,” Azar said.

Pakistan Army and the proposed Gaza force

Azar’s remarks follow reports that the United States had reached out to several countries, including Pakistan, to contribute troops to a proposed stabilisation and reconstruction force for Gaza once active hostilities end. However, as earlier reported by NDTV, many countries have privately expressed reluctance to join any such force if it means directly confronting Hamas on the ground.

Responding to questions about Pakistan’s potential role, Azar said the concept itself becomes meaningless if participating countries are unwilling to fight Hamas.

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When asked directly whether Israel would accept the Pakistan Army as part of any Gaza force, Azar was unequivocal. “No,” he replied.

He added that military cooperation depends on trust and formal diplomatic relationships. “This is not the situation right now,” Azar said, underscoring Israel’s deep scepticism about Pakistan’s credentials as a neutral or reliable security partner.

In November last year, veteran Pakistani journalist Asma Shirazi had claimed that army chief General Asim Munir demanded $10,000 per soldier from Israel for deploying Pakistani troops to Gaza. Shirazi further claimed that Israel refused Munir's demand and offered a mere $100 (Rs 8,860) per soldier instead.

Hamas must go, or diplomacy fails

Israel’s position, Azar stressed, remains unchanged. The immediate priorities are the return of all hostages held by Hamas, including the remains of those killed, and the complete destruction of the group’s military and political structure.

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Accusing Hamas and sympathetic actors of trying to bypass these conditions through international pressure and premature diplomacy, Azar warned that no second phase of any plan could proceed otherwise.

“Either Hamas dismantles, or it will be impossible to implement the second phase of any plan,” he said. He added that if diplomatic efforts stall, Israel would have no choice but to act on its own.

India angle and Pakistan’s terror shadow

Referring to India’s own experience with Pakistan-backed terror networks, Azar said Israel is closely watching regional security developments and expressed confidence that Indian authorities understand the threat landscape.

On whether India should formally ban Hamas, Azar said there is a “clear threat” but emphasised that the decision rests entirely with New Delhi.

Earlier, reports have noted that Israel’s discomfort with Pakistan stems not only from Islamabad’s political support for Hamas but also from intelligence assessments linking Hamas operatives and financing networks to Pakistan-based extremist groups. These concerns, Israeli officials believe, fundamentally disqualify the Pakistan Army from playing any stabilising role in Gaza.

For Israel, the message is unambiguous. A force meant to stabilise Gaza cannot include actors it does not trust, and Pakistan, burdened by its terror-linked reputation, does not make the cut.