The Arab League on Thursday called for a UN peacekeeping force in the occupied Palestinian territories, marking the first time Arab states have officially endorsed an internationalisation of the Israel-Palestine conflict since Israel’s war on Gaza erupted.
The 22-member group, meeting in Manama Bahrain, called for “international protection and peacekeeping forces of the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territories” until a two-state solution is implemented.
Middle East Eye reported on Wednesday that Bahrain had signalled to the US in recent weeks that it was open to deploying troops to Gaza as part of an Arab peacekeeping force. Bahrain is a close ally and security partner of Saudi Arabia.
The Financial Times also reported on Wednesday that the US had asked Morocco, the UAE and Egypt to join the force, but they were reluctant. Saudi Arabia was reportedly among other Arab states to reject the idea of deploying their forces.
A US official familiar with the talks told MEE that US officials hoped Bahrain could serve as “the tip of the spear” to provide momentum for a wider push for a multinational force that included Gulf heavyweights, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.