King Abdullah Rejects 'Peace Enforcement' Role in Gaza Stabilisation Plan

Post by : Raina Nasser

Jordan’s King Abdullah cautioned that asking countries to 'enforce' peace inside Gaza would be rejected, warning of the dangers of foreign forces becoming embroiled in an ongoing conflict.

The monarch said nations would decline participation if the proposed Gaza deployment under the US ceasefire blueprint moved beyond traditional peacekeeping into a peace-enforcement posture.

He stressed that Jordan and Egypt are prepared to help by training Palestinian police, but cautioned against sending armed contingents. “Assisting with and building up local security forces is one thing; sending troops with weapons through Gaza is another and no country is likely to agree to that,” he said, underscoring the precarious situation on the ground.

The Trump-era ceasefire proposal envisages Arab states and international partners providing stabilisation units to train Palestinian security personnel and cooperate with Jordan and Egypt. The concept has triggered regional unease, with many officials warning it could escalate into a prolonged military role.

King Abdullah made clear Jordan will not dispatch combat forces to Gaza, noting the kingdom's close political and social ties to Palestinians. More than half of Jordan’s population traces its roots to Palestine, and the country has hosted upwards of 2.3 million refugees. “We are too closely linked politically and socially to take a military role,” he stated, adding that Jordan will prioritise humanitarian assistance and capacity-building instead.

The king recounted distressing scenes from humanitarian flights over the territory, describing the destruction as both shocking and heartbreaking. “Looking down from the aircraft ramp, the scale of damage was beyond belief. It is staggering that the international community has allowed this to continue,” he said.

Queen Rania, herself of Palestinian origin, commended President Trump’s diplomatic push to press for a ceasefire while condemning global inertia. She said, “For two years, parents have watched their children suffer, starve and live in fear while the world looks on.”

The royal remarks arrive as Gaza endures severe humanitarian strain despite the latest truce. Official tallies indicate more than 68,000 fatalities since Israel’s military offensive that followed Hamas’s 7 October attack.

Both Jordanian leaders expressed guarded hope that a durable peace remains attainable. Queen Rania urged resilience, saying choosing hope is difficult but essential to preserve shared humanity.

The ceasefire arrangement has led to the exchange of hostages and detainees on both sides, yet analysts caution that without sustained regional engagement to tackle the conflict's root causes, any stability in Gaza will be tenuous.