Bangladesh's participation in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza is likely to be decided by the next elected government, as officials emphasise that current discussions are preliminary and contingent on a clear United Nations mandate and political consensus at home.
Senior officials at the foreign ministry told the Financial Express on Tuesday that while the government agreed "in principle" to consider joining the force, the process of finalising such a decision was lengthy and subject to multiple conditions.
"Ultimately, the elected government will have to take the final decision," one official, involved in the process, stated noting that national elections were only days away.
Questions arose after it emerged that Bangladesh's national security adviser, Khalilur Rahman, conveyed Dhaka's interest in principle during meetings with senior US officials, Allison Hooker and Paul Kapur, in Washington on 9 January. Officials said the discussions were exploratory and did not constitute a formal commitment.
"There are many ifs and buts," a senior foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "We have not finalised anything. First of all, the force must be endorsed by the UN and be deployed for a limited period."
The official added that the nature of future peace operations could change amid a funding crisis at the UN, with some missions no longer run directly by the organisation but instead authorised by it. "Once we have the full picture -- including terms, conditions and operational details -- the government will decide," he said.
The ISF was authorised by a UN Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November, which allowed a newly-created Board of Peace, working with member states, to establish a temporary stabilisation force in Gaza following a ceasefire that began in October. That truce has stalled in its first phase, with little progress on subsequent steps.
More than 400 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire and nearly all of Gaza's more than 2 million residents are living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings in a narrow territory where Israeli forces have partially withdrawn and Hamas has reasserted control.
Diplomatic analyst and former ambassador Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh would have little difficulty participating if the force were formed under UN auspices. "Bangladesh traditionally takes part only in UN-mandated peacekeeping missions," he said. "The formation process and operational framework of the proposed force have not yet been finalised, but there is a perception that this, too, will be UN-approved." He suggested that it was why Bangladesh had signalled interest in advance to the US administration.
Chief Adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government recognised the significance of the Security Council's decision and was "carefully considering the matter". He noted that Resolution 2803, adopted on 17 November 2025, approved the establishment of an ISF for Gaza and received the support of all Muslim members of the Security Council, following joint recommendations from several Arab and Muslim states.
Alam said Bangladesh's consideration was contingent on key conditions, including that the force be temporary, operate under a clear UN Security Council mandate, and be deployed only after a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Responsibility for the territory, he added, would need to be transferred to Palestinians.
Israel's military offensive in Gaza since late 2023 has killed tens of thousands of people, triggered a severe hunger crisis and displaced the entire population. Multiple UN experts, scholars and an international inquiry have said the campaign amounts to genocide. Israel rejects the accusation, saying its actions are in self-defence following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
