Bangladesh is positively considering proposals to deploy troops to Gaza under a proposed “peace enforcement” initiative, following approval by the UN Security Council to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) aimed at restoring peace and security in the war-torn region.
National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has already conveyed Dhaka’s interest in joining the US-led initiative to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker during a meeting on Friday.
According to a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s Office, Hooker responded that Washington is willing to work closely with Bangladesh on the matter.
However, former diplomats have urged caution, warning that participation in the ISF would mark a significant departure from Bangladesh’s long-standing peacekeeping policy, as the force would not operate under the traditional UN “blue helmet” framework.
“Bangladesh has never participated in this type of operation. We have always been very selective in deploying troops abroad,” said a former diplomat who served at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
He noted that the situation in Gaza remains highly volatile and resembles an active war zone, making any deployment inherently risky.
Another former diplomat raised concerns about political and diplomatic perceptions, particularly in light of media reports suggesting that Israel rejected Pakistan’s participation in the stabilisation force.
“If Bangladesh deploys troops without objection from Israel, how will this be perceived by the domestic audience and by regional and global actors?” he asked.
International Stabilization Force
On 17 November last year, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2803 to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza under a unified command structure. The resolution also welcomed former US President Donald Trump’s “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”. The ISF will be funded through voluntary contributions from donor countries.
Former diplomats cautioned that Bangladesh has never deployed forces to an active conflict zone under a peace enforcement mandate and stressed the need for a thorough assessment of both ground realities and broader foreign policy implications.
“While it is true that UN peacekeeping missions are facing financial constraints and overseas deployment opportunities are shrinking, decisions of this nature carry far-reaching diplomatic consequences,” said another former envoy.
He added that although the current US administration would welcome Bangladesh’s participation, Dhaka must also consider longer-term strategic uncertainties.
“What happens if Washington changes its policy or withdraws funding? How would Gazans perceive Bangladeshi troops? Could Bangladeshi forces be used to neutralise Hamas or confront civilians? These are critical questions that must be addressed by clearly understanding the mandate,” he said.
Gang Suppression Force in Haiti
On 30 September, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2793 to establish a multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti, proposed by Kenya and strongly backed by the United States. Washington had urged Bangladesh to contribute troops to that mission as well.
Similar to the proposed Gaza force, the Haiti mission falls under a peace enforcement framework rather than traditional peacekeeping.
“Peace enforcement is fundamentally different from peacekeeping,” said a former diplomat. “Unlike peacekeeping, which requires the consent of all parties and limits the use of force to self-defence, peace enforcement allows the use of force to compel compliance, even without universal consent.”
He recalled that in the 1990s Bangladesh had declined a US request to deploy troops in Haiti under a similar US-led operation after careful assessment.
“We evaluated the geopolitical risks and decided not to participate. While circumstances have evolved, appeasing Washington alone should not determine such a critical decision,” he said.
