US encouraging Arab states to join multinational postwar force in Gaza

"Three Arab states have had initial discussions, including Egypt, the UAE, and Morocco, but they would want the US to recognize a Palestinian state first," an unnamed Western official told the publication. He said the Arab countries believe the US should lead a peacekeeping force, but Washington is trying to work out how to do so without a presence on the ground.

Other Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, have rejected the idea of their military participating in the peacekeeping mission because such a move could be perceived as support for Israel, the FT reported. In addition, they also fear being drawn into the insurgency in the Gaza Strip.

The US is seeking to establish a peacekeeping mission to be deployed in the Gaza Strip after the end of the war for the duration of the absence of a security authority in Palestine, but the Joe Biden administration has no intention of stationing US troops in Gaza. Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in an interview with CBS that Washington was in the process of developing plans to provide security, establish governing bodies and rebuild the enclave.

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