Jordan and Germany have jointly emphasized the need for a United Nations mandate to authorize the proposed international stabilization force expected to operate in Gaza under U.S. President Donald Trump's post-war governance plan. The two nations argued that such a force would only be effective and legitimate if backed by a clear UN Security Council resolution, ensuring global oversight and compliance with international law.

Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, a coalition of mainly Arab and Muslim nations is being considered to deploy to Gaza. The force's primary mission would be to help rebuild governance structures, train vetted Palestinian police units, secure borders, and prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. The plan aims to restore order to the territory devastated since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, following Hamas's attack on Israel.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stressed that the stabilization force must have a Security Council mandate to be credible and effective. While confirming Jordan's support for the initiative, he made it clear that his country would not send troops to Gaza, citing the nation's close proximity and sensitive regional role. Nevertheless, Jordan pledged to cooperate closely with the coalition to ensure peace and reconstruction efforts succeed.

Speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed Safadi's stance. He insisted that the mission must rest on a "clear basis in international law" to earn international legitimacy. Germany, he said, would only support such an operation under the authority of the UN, to assure both troop-contributing countries and the Palestinian people of its neutrality.

Despite international optimism, some UN experts have raised concerns that the force could replace one form of occupation with another, potentially undermining Palestinian self-determination. Critics warn that without careful planning and local inclusion, the mission could face resistance from within Gaza itself.

For decades, the UN has played a central role in peacekeeping across the Middle East, including in southern Lebanon through the UNIFIL mission. The proposed Gaza stabilization force, if properly mandated and structured, could mark a new chapter in efforts to secure long-term peace and stability in one of the region's most volatile territories.

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